LEFT

Returns the left part of a character string with the specified number of characters.

See also RIGHT.

Syntax

LEFT( expr , character_count )

Arguments

Parameter

Description

expr

String expression

character_count

The number of characters to be returned. If character_count <= 0, an empty string is returned.

Returns

Returns the same type as the argument supplied.

Notes

  • This function works on TEXT strings only.

  • If the value is NULL, the result is NULL.

Examples

For these examples, consider the following table and contents:

CREATE TABLE jabberwocky(line TEXT);

INSERT INTO jabberwocky VALUES
   ('''Twas brillig, and the slithy toves '), ('      Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: ')
   ,('All mimsy were the borogoves, '), ('      And the mome raths outgrabe. ')
   ,('"Beware the Jabberwock, my son! '), ('      The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! ')
   ,('Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun '), ('      The frumious Bandersnatch!" ');

Using LEFT

t=> SELECT LEFT(line, 10), RIGHT(line, 10) FROM jabberwocky;
left       | right
-----------+-----------
'Twas bril | thy toves
      Did  | the wabe:
All mimsy  | orogoves,
      And  | outgrabe.
"Beware th | , my son!
      The  | at catch!
Beware the |  and shun
      The  | rsnatch!"