Can a variable have three values?

• prasadau2006

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  November 18, 2010 at 11:34 pm

  #241414

  Hi I'm an entry level SQL Developer. Let me explain a scenario to you, I have a table with set of File names(File name is one of the column in the table with jobs(Path of the job in it)). My job is to replace say three different names Sa,Ba,Sb,Bb,Sc,Bc with two other names say X,Y (all of the prefixes with S are replaced with X while B with Y).

  Since they are thousand of rows in that column I'm actually thinking of define two variable along with a cursor. So that these variables go and pick those appropriate Letters in the table.

  But the question is can two variables pick three values each?

  Thanks in Advance

• Mike John

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  November 18, 2010 at 11:51 pm

  #1252874

  Firstly I would avoid cursors unless you are absolutely certain you need one. (And even then there is probably a better way).

  I think all you need is something like:

  update t

  set col = case left(col,1)

  when 's' then 'X'

  when b' then 'Y'

  else col end

  where left(col,1) in ('s','b')

  If you need more explanation of that please post a sample table and data and I (or someone else) will be able to test the code and explain more.

  Mike

• prasadau2006

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  November 18, 2010 at 11:55 pm

  #1252876

  Thanks Mike.....This might really help me, definitely i will post a table tomorrow with the data atleast top 20. Once again Thanks.