Format a Number as Currency in SQL

Some DBMSs have functions that allow us to format numbers as currency just by passing the appropriate format string. This converts the number to a string with the applicable currency symbol, group separator, and decimal point (if relevant).

Other DBMSs don’t make it that easy, and you need to do a bit of work first.

Below are examples of using SQL to format numbers as currency in some of the most popular DBMSs.

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Find a String within a String in SQL

Most of the major DBMSs provide us with a way to find a string within a string using SQL. By this, I mean use a SQL query to find the position of a substring within a string.

There are several SQL functions that allow us to do this, including INSTR(), LOCATE(), POSITION(), and CHARINDEX(). The function you use will depend on your DBMS, and possibly whether or not you need to specify a starting position.

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How to Concatenate Strings in SQL

Most of the major RDBMSs provide several options for concatenating two or more strings.

  • There’s the CONCAT() function, which concatenates its arguments.
  • There’s also a CONCAT_WS() that allows you to specify a separator that separates the concatenated strings.
  • And there’s also a string concatenation operator, which allows us to concatenate its operands.

Below are examples of each method.

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