updating a field with unique 15 digit navarchar

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updating a field with unique 15 digit navarchar

SQLTestUser

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August 24, 2016 at 3:49 pm

#329301

is there anyway i can update a nvarchar field with unique 15 digit nvarchar ? i cant seem to find an answer online. Any clues guys.

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004439 More actions · Answer 1

Yes but why are you using NVARCHAR to store "digits"? Also, you've not stated the full datatype for the column. NVARCHAR(???) ? And, what do you want to update it to and from?

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

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SQLTestUser Hall of Fame Points: 3997 More actions · Answer 2

Jeff,

It is a UserId field with i.e. userID nvarchar(15). We have to have a unique alphanumeric values for all userID's.

thanks,

Alvin Ramard SSC-Forever Points: 41190 More actions · Answer 3

Would this work?

LEFT(REPLACE(CAST(NEWID () AS NVARCHAR(MAX)), '-', '') , 15)

Alvin Ramard
Memphis PASS Chapter[/url]

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Luis Cazares SSC Guru Points: 183706 More actions · Answer 4

Alvin Ramard (8/25/2016)
Would this work?
LEFT(REPLACE(CAST(NEWID () AS NVARCHAR(MAX)), '-', '') , 15)

I'm not sure if that will return unique strings. Although, the chance for duplicates is low.

Luis C.
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Are you seriously taking the advice and code from someone from the internet without testing it? Do you at least understand it? Or can it easily kill your server?

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Alvin Ramard SSC-Forever Points: 41190 More actions · Answer 5

Luis Cazares (8/25/2016)
Alvin Ramard (8/25/2016)
Would this work?
LEFT(REPLACE(CAST(NEWID () AS NVARCHAR(MAX)), '-', '') , 15)
I'm not sure if that will return unique strings. Although, the chance for duplicates is low.

Good point Luis. A Unique constraint could easily prevent duplicates.

Alvin Ramard
Memphis PASS Chapter[/url]

All my SSC forum answers come with a money back guarantee. If you didn't like the answer then I'll gladly refund what you paid for it.

For best practices on asking questions, please read the following article: Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url]