Hi Friends ,

In Oracle we have LTRIM function that takes two arguments .
In Oracle the following example trims all of the left-most x's and y's from a string:

I tried to reproduce this functionality in MySQL, but LTRIM function in MySQL accepts only one argument . I tried with But this gives a different result .

Please suggest me .

suggest you what?

the example you gave doesn't make sense

and what if there is no immediate equivalent function -- can you explain in words what you want to do?

It doesn't surprise me that Oracles LTRIM doesn't work it looks a very very odd way of naming/implementing a REPLACE function, every one else Im aware of uses LTRIM/RTRIM./TRIM to remove leading or trailing spaces

MySQL :: MySQL 5.1 Reference Manual :: 11.4 String Functions

TRIM can remove other characters besides spaces

the problem with the given example is that while the oracle function appears like it might be removing sets of pairs of characters, the given example doesn't look right

agreed oracle LTRIM offers that, but MySQL LTRIM doesn't. Like you Im not convinced that there is a direct MySQL repalcement for what is claimed for the Oracle LTRIM fucntion... the closest I coudl see was REPLACE. but y'never know

With the LTRIM function, Oracle treats the characters in the second argument as a list. It will remove any of the characters, in any combination, on the left side of the first argument until it reaches a character that is not in the list.

I think MySQL is working on using regular expressions with the replace command - this would then handle this sort of thing easily. Sadly it hasn't been implemented yet.

Of course you could also avoid hiring data entry people with Tourette's and then you won't get the XXXX at the start of each name.

aha, the penny drops, thanks very much

TRIM(LEADING 'y' FROM TRIM(LEADING 'x' FROM daString))

Won't that just leave you with "xXxyLAST WORD"?

yes, you're right, mike, good catch

sushma, perhaps you should be trimming in the front end app?