MySQL CHAR_LENGTH() Function
The CHAR_LENGTH() function in MySQL determines the length of a string, counting the number of characters. It's a fundamental string function for various text processing tasks.
CHAR_LENGTH(): Definition and Usage
CHAR_LENGTH() is straightforward: it takes a string as input and returns its length as an integer. This is often used to validate data, to control string formatting, or to work with strings based on their size. It's functionally identical to CHARACTER_LENGTH().
Syntax
Syntax
CHAR_LENGTH(string)
Parameter Values
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
string |
The string whose length you want to find. This is required. |
Examples
Finding the Length of a String Literal
This example determines the length of the string "SQL Tutorial".
Syntax
SELECT CHAR_LENGTH("SQL Tutorial") AS LengthOfString;
Output
12
Finding the Length of Strings in a Column
This example finds the length of the 'CustomerName' for each customer in the 'Customers' table (assuming a table named 'Customers' exists with a 'CustomerName' column).
Syntax
SELECT CHAR_LENGTH(CustomerName) AS LengthOfName
FROM Customers;
Output
LengthOfName
-------------
(The length of each customer name from the Customers table)