SQL Array within a cell

Question

I have a cell that contains an array of characters seperated by commas i.e. "1,2,3,4,5" My question is, is it possible to remove a particular element of the array such as if I wanted to remove "1" then the cell would then become "2,3,4,5" or remove "3" and it becomes "1,2,4,5" I want to perform this task within SQL either as a function or a stored procedure, any help is much appreciated.

That is really bad database design. If you have the ability to do so, you should move away from storing multiple values in the same column ASAP. — Raj More
– Raj More, Commented Sep 29, 2011 at 15:59

Marc B · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-29 15:33:16Z

2

Sure, it'd just be some basic string REPLACE() calls: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms186862.aspx

However, since you have to manipulate individual bits of this data field separately from the rest of the field, it's a good candidate for getting normalized into its own child table.

answered Sep 29, 2011 at 15:33

Marc B

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Clockwork-Muse Over a year ago

I strongly recommend getting this column into it's own table. For oh-so-many-reasons (ability to index usefully, ease of use, referential constraints...)

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