LPAD(x,a,y,n)

LPAD(x,a,y,n) is a string function that inserts the character string y (string literal) at the start of the character string x (string specification) as often as specified by the expression a. Only expressions that produce an alphanumeric value are permitted as string specifications. The result of the expression a must be a positive integer.

Leading and subsequent blanks in the character string x are truncated.

The optional parameter n (unsigned integer) defines the maximal total length of the character string created. n must be greater than or equal to the total LENGTH(x)+a*LENGTH(y).

LPAD(x,a,y,n)
x, a, y, n	Result of the LPAD(x,a,y,n) function
LPAD(x,a,y) and x must identify a CHAR or VARCHAR column	The maximum length of the character string is the length of the character string x.
x or a is a NULL value	NULL value
a is a special NULL value	Error Messages

Example Example

SELECT hno, LPAD('',TRUNC(price/10),'*',70) graph FROM room

WHERE price > 150 ORDER BY price DESC

Creating bar charts: LPAD inserts asterisks in front of the first parameter (in this case, a blank). This is done according to the number equal to price divided by 10.

LPAD(x,a,y,n)
HNO	GRAPH
130	**********************************************************************
140	************************************************************
50	**************************************************
60	**************************************************
150	*********************************************
80	****************************************
120	***********************************
90	******************************
130	***************************
10	********************
60	********************
140	********************
150	*******************
50	******************
70	******************
130	****************

End of the example.

More Information

RPAD(x,a,y,n)