VARCHAR as input parameter in SQL stored procedures

02 Oct 2023

StoredProcedures

In SQL stored procedures, VARCHAR is commonly used as an input parameter to handle string values. This allows for flexibility and dynamic query execution. In this blog post, we will explore how to use VARCHAR as an input parameter in SQL stored procedures.

Defining VARCHAR as an input parameter

To define a VARCHAR input parameter in a SQL stored procedure, you need to specify the parameter name, data type, and optionally the maximum length.

CREATE PROCEDURE [ProcedureName]
    @InputValue VARCHAR(MaxLength)
AS
BEGIN
    -- Procedure body
END

In the above code snippet, ProcedureName is the name of the stored procedure, @InputValue is the name of the input parameter, and MaxLength is the maximum length of the input value.

Using VARCHAR input parameters in a stored procedure

Once you have defined a VARCHAR input parameter, you can use it within the stored procedure’s body. Here’s an example of using a VARCHAR input parameter to filter records in a SELECT statement:

CREATE PROCEDURE GetCustomersByCountry
    @Country VARCHAR(100)
AS
BEGIN
    SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE Country = @Country;
END

In this example, the GetCustomersByCountry stored procedure takes a @Country parameter of type VARCHAR with a maximum length of 100. The parameter is then used in the SELECT statement to filter the Customers table by the specified Country value.

Passing values to VARCHAR input parameters

To execute a stored procedure with a VARCHAR input parameter, you need to provide a value for the parameter. This can be done using the EXEC statement as follows:

EXEC GetCustomersByCountry @Country = 'USA';

In the above code, the @Country parameter is assigned the value 'USA' when executing the GetCustomersByCountry stored procedure.

Conclusion

Using VARCHAR as an input parameter in SQL stored procedures allows for greater flexibility when dealing with string values. By defining and utilizing VARCHAR input parameters, you can create dynamic and reusable stored procedures that can handle a variety of string-based scenarios.

#SQL #StoredProcedures