The LEFT function examines a data string and returns the leftmost portion of the data string as specified by a length parameter.
Category
String
LEFT(data string, length [,pad character])| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| data string | This parameter specifies a data string in character format. This data string can be a field from a source datastore, a variable or the result of another Function. |
| length | A numeric value that specifies the number of characters (bytes) to be converted from the source_string. |
| pad character | This is an optional parameter that specifies a character value that will be used for padding to the right of the string. |
Example
Examine a source data string INPUT_STRING and map the leftmost 4 characters to the target field OUTPUT_STRING. Assume that the data string INPUT_STRING contains the value MUSTANG.
OUTPUT_STRING = LEFT (INPUT_STRING, 4)
Returns the value 'MUST' and maps the result to the target field.
Examine a source data string and map the leftmost 2 characters to the target field OUTPUT_STRING.
OUTPUT_STRING = LEFT ('ABCDEFGHIJK', 2)
Returns the value AB and maps the result to the target field.
Examine a source data string INPUT_STRING and map the leftmost 8 characters to the target field OUTPUT_STRING. Assume that the data string INPUT_STRING contains the value HELLO.
OUTPUT_STRING = LEFT (INPUT_STRING, 8, '*')
Returns the value 'HELLO***' and maps the result to the target field