BUG: Nested STUFF() Functions Return NULL

• Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2 for OS/2
• Microsoft SQL Server, version 4.2

       NT:  319 (4.2)

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to change several characters in a character string using nested calls to the STUFF() Transact-SQL function, NULL is returned instead of the expected character string.

CAUSE

The result of nested STUFF() functions is NULL.

WORKAROUND

A local variable can be used to eliminate the need for nesting calls to STUFF(). For example, to change the slash marks in a date to hyphens, the following Transact-SQL statements could be used:

   declare @tempvar char(8)
   select @var = stuff( "01/01/93",6,1,"-" )
   select @var = stuff( @var, 3,1,"-" )
   select @var

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server versions 1.11 and 4.2 for OS/2 and Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.