SQL SERVER  2008 = compatible 

/*===========================================
    SECTION 1: Create PATTERNS table
===========================================*/
IF OBJECT_ID('PATTERNS') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE PATTERNS;

CREATE TABLE PATTERNS (
  ...

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I wanted to mention that I do not like  the formatting of  sqlservercental.com code

While I understand it can be useful,...

• This reply was modified 2 months, 1 weeks ago by naumon765.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by naumon765.
• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by naumon765.
• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by naumon765.
• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by naumon765.

then the ""MAIN""" question is

PRACTICAL implementation  ( how ??? )

not exists "preferred"  "better in all sorts " over left join

“Everything I Needed to Know Used to Be Found in One Book”

I’ve worked in the software industry since 1998.

Back then, learning was different.

If you had one solid book, enough curiosity,...

hi

my query = worst

Paul White / Steve Query  = Best

DECLARE @s varchar(max)='1,2,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,15,17,19,20'

;WITH n AS
(
SELECT 1 x
UNION ALL
SELECT x + 1
FROM n
WHERE x < 20
)
SELECT x
FROM n
WHERE ',' + @s + ',' NOT LIKE '%,' + CAST(x...

• This reply was modified 3 months, 2 weeks ago by naumon765.