BUG: Nested STUFF() Functions Return NULL

ID: Q100600

The information in this article applies to:

BUG# OS/2: 1721 (4.2)
       NT:  319 (4.2)

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to change several characters in a character string using nested calls to the STUFF() Transact-SQL function, NULL is returned instead of the expected character string.


CAUSE

The result of nested STUFF() functions is NULL.


WORKAROUND

A local variable can be used to eliminate the need for nesting calls to STUFF(). For example, to change the slash marks in a date to hyphens, the following Transact-SQL statements could be used: 


   declare @tempvar char(8)
   select @var = stuff( "01/01/93",6,1,"-" )
   select @var = stuff( @var, 3,1,"-" )
   select @var


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server versions 1.11 and 4.2 for OS/2 and Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. 


Keywords          : kbprg SSrvTran_SQL kbbug4.20 SSrvServer SSrvWinNT 
Version           : 4.2 | 4.2
Platform          : OS/2 WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: March 16, 1999