BUG: Convert Defaults to 30 When No Length Is Given

 Last reviewed: April 28, 1997
Article ID: Q80640

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2 for OS/2
  • Microsoft SQL Server, version 4.2
BUG#: OS/2: 1261 (4.2) 
        NT:  885 (4.2)

SYMPTOMS

A statement of the form, 

   select convert(varchar, <column>) from <table>,
where <column> is a char, varchar, or text column in <table>, returns the first 30 characters of <column>. The documentation for the CONVERT function in the Microsoft SQL Server Transact-SQL Reference states: 

   "If no length is specified when converting to varchar or varbinary
   datatypes, the data adapts to any size necessary."
That is, if <column> is of type char(100), the above text implies that the above SELECT statement must return all the characters in <column>.

CAUSE

The value of 30 is incorrectly hard coded as the default when no length is specified as the default.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 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.

Additional query words: Windows NT
Keywords : kbprg SSrvProg SSrvWinNT
Version : 4.2 | 4.2
Platform : OS/2 WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: April 28, 1997
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