You can use sql to do string manipulation (trim, substring, soundex, and so forth), but the sql server has to process those in addition to any joins, restriction, ordering, and so on.

I have found that passing a sql query using DBI and then using perl to do any text processing is far more efficient in terms of development and speed of execution than trying to do it all in sql. Especially if you are trying to create a dynamic web page with up-to-date information from a relational database.

Bottom line: SQL is the tool for querying relational databases; Perl is the tool for formatting the results. They work synergistically, and complement each other's strengths and limitations.

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"Computeri non cogitant, ergo non sunt"