Apr 8, 2025 · SQL Arrays allow for managing multiple values in a single database column, providing a structured method for handling intricate data sets. SQL Arrays in tables allow for efficient operations such as grouping related items and managing multi-value attributes. It also streamlines specific query types by directly storing arrays.

The ARRAY command allows you to create an array from a group of values. The values can be field values, calculated values, literals, or a combination thereof. The only requirement is that all the values are of the same data type. The following is an example of creating an array using the city_array table and literals:

Some data does not map well to a relational database and you may have reasons for storing it elsewhere, or you may want to use an in-memory key:value database as a hot-cache for data stored on disk somewhere or as an ephemeral storage for things like sessions.

Jan 16, 2018 · In this article, we'll show how to use a table variable instead of an array, the function STRING_SPLIT function, how to work with older versions of SQL Server.

Feb 27, 2023 · Guide to Array in SQL. Here we discuss an introduction to Array in SQL, how to create and insert array with examples for better understanding.

There is an accompanying article, Arrays and Lists in SQL Server, The Long Version, which includes many more ways to crack lists in to tables – and you could argue too many. This longer article is intended for an audience with a little more experience.

Apr 26, 2021 · With a newly created NumbersTest table, we can write a custom function performing an array splitting functionality: SELECT Item = SUBSTRING(@List, Number, CHARINDEX(@Delimiter, @List + @Delimiter, Number) - Number) FROM dbo.NumbersTest. WHERE Number <= CONVERT(INT, LEN(@List))

Sep 30, 2023 · Learn the SQL ARRAY data type, a versatile tool for managing large datasets in SQL. Discover how to create, manipulate, and query ARRAYs in our comprehensive tutorial.

Jan 26, 2024 · One of the most robust methods to store arrays in MySQL is through normalization – using a secondary table to store array elements and then associating them with the primary entry via a foreign key.

Jun 15, 2011 · I need to store a number of selected items in one field in a database. My general rule is: don't. This is something which all but requires a second table (or third) with a foreign key. Sure, it may seem easier now, but what if the use case comes along where you need to actually query for those items individually?