MySQL Split

Introduction to MySQL Split

MySQL split concept is to split the string related data. For example, we could be sometimes willing to separate the column values which consists of delimiter. For such cases, we use the split concept.MySQL Split concept comes into the picture if you are intended to split the string. In MySQL, we use SUBSTRING_INDEX() to split the string. It usually consists of three arguments i.e., string, delimiter, and position. The string value will be split based on the position. It returns the substring of the string from the occurrence count

In this session, we will learn about how to split the string by mentioning the position for the split along with the example.

Syntax:

Below is the syntax for the SUBSTRING_INDEX (): –

SUBSTRING_INDEX( <STRING>, <DELIMITER>, <OCCURRENCE_COUNT> );

Here we are specifying the string, delimiter, and count. Based on the count occurrence the substring will be returned. If the count is a negative value, it returns the value from the right to the final delimiter. If the count value is positive, it returns the value from the left to the final delimiter.

How does MySQL Split works?

Now let us see how to split the columns using the SUBSTRING_INDEX ().

select substring_index ("ABC| BGF| TYH ",'|',1) AS STRING
UNION
select substring_index ("ABC| BGF| TYH ",'|',2) AS STRING
UNION
select substring_index ("ABC| BGF| TYH ",'|',3) AS STRING ;

Output:

Here in the above example the delimiter is ‘|’.

select substring_index ("ABC
BGF
TYH ",'\n',1) AS STRING
UNION
select substring_index ("ABC
BGF
TYH ",'\n',2) AS STRING
UNION
select substring_index ("ABC
BGF
TYH ",'\n',3) AS STRING ;

Output:

Negative value:

select substring_index ("ABC| BGF| TYH ",'|', -1) AS STRING
UNION
select substring_index ("ABC| BGF| TYH ",'|', -2) AS STRING
UNION
select substring_index ("ABC| BGF| TYH ",'|', -3) AS STRING ;

Output:

select substring_index ("ABC
BGF
TYH ",'\n', -1) AS STRING
UNION
select substring_index ("ABC
BGF
TYH ",'\n', -2) AS STRING
UNION
select substring_index ("ABC
BGF
TYH ",'\n', -3) AS STRING ;

Output:

Example

Now let us create the table and split the string by applying the SUBSTRING_INDEX (). Let us create the below table:

create table Employee_Address
(
E_ID int,
E_NAME varchar(20),
E_LOCATION varchar(20),
E_ADDRESS varchar(100)
);
Insert the below data into the table: -
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (1, 'Sam', 'MP', '12-1-26; Seoul; South korea');
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (2, 'Sohan', 'Bangalore', '11-26; Busan; South korea' );
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (3, 'Will', 'Tamilnadu', '91-27; Seoul; South korea' );
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (4, 'Ben', 'UP', '10-34; Seoul; South korea');
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (5, 'Hamington', 'UP', '126-09; Busan; South korea');
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (6, 'Ji eun', 'Bangalore', '167-4; Seoul; South korea');
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (7, 'Jimin', 'UP', '234-0; Busan; South korea');
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (8, 'Jk', 'Bangalore', '166-0; Busan; South korea');
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (9, 'V', 'AP', '12-89-26; Busan; South korea');
insert into EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS values (10, 'Jhope', 'Bangalore', '189-1-26; Seoul; South korea');

Output for the above table is as below: –

select * from EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS;

Output:

Now let us split the column values of “E_ADDRESS” using the SUBSTRING_INDEX ();

SELECT E_ID,
E_NAME,
E_LOCATION,
SUBSTRING_INDEX(E_ADDRESS,';',1) AS ADDRESS1, /* -- substring declare-*/
SUBSTRING_INDEX(E_ADDRESS,';',2) AS ADDRESS2, /* -- substring declare-*/
SUBSTRING_INDEX(E_ADDRESS,';',3) AS ADDRESS3/* -- substring declare-*/
FROM EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS;

Output:

Now we can split into an individual instead of the above output;

SELECT E_ID,
E_NAME,
E_LOCATION,
SUBSTRING_INDEX((SUBSTRING_INDEX(E_ADDRESS,';',1)),';',-1) AS ADDRESS1,
/* -- nested substring declare-*/
SUBSTRING_INDEX((SUBSTRING_INDEX(E_ADDRESS,';',2)),';',-1) AS ADDRESS2,
/* -- nested substring declare-*/
SUBSTRING_INDEX((SUBSTRING_INDEX(E_ADDRESS,';',3)),';',-1) AS ADDRESS3
/* -- nested substring declare-*/
FROM EMPLOYEE_ADDRESS;

Output:

Conclusion

• MySQL split concept is to split the string related data. For example, we could be sometimes willing to separate the column values which consists of delimiter.
• For such cases, we use the split concept. MySQL Split concept comes into the picture if you are intended to split the string. In MySQL, we use SUBSTRING_INDEX() to split the string.
• It usually consists of three arguments i.e., string, delimiter, and position. The string value will be split based on the position.

This is a guide to MySQL Split. Here we discuss the introduction, How does MySQL Split works? and examples respectively. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

1. MySQL EXISTS
2. MySQL Lock Table
3. MySQL Primary Key
4. MySQL Show Users