BUG: Convert Defaults to 30 When No Length Is Given

ID: Q80640

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2


BUG#: 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.

Additional query words: Windows NT

Keywords : kbprg SSrvProg SSrvWinNT
Version : winnt:4.2
Platform : winnt
Issue type :