Convert image datatype into varchar in sql server 2008

Question

We have TestPartner database in SQL Server. The descriptions of the bugs are stored in \"image\" datatype column. We need to write a query to display the data as html table. We

Answer 1

My guess would be that the data stored in your image column is not 'normal' text - I would guess that it's some arbitrary data structure (hence the decision to use image rather than varchar) ?

I tried this without a problem:

    declare @data varchar(max)

    declare @fred table (d1 varchar(max), d2 xml, d3 image)

    set @data = 'here is some data'
    while (len(@data) < 200)    set @data = @data + ' ' + cast(rand() as varchar)

    insert into @fred (d1,d2,d3) values (@data,@data,@data)

    set @data = 'here is some more data'
    while (len(@data) < 200)    set @data = @data + ' ' + cast(rand() as varchar)

    insert into @fred (d1,d2,d3) values (@data,@data,@data)

    declare @xml xml
    set @xml = (select cast(cast(d3 as varbinary(max)) as varchar(max)) as 'td' from @fred FOR XML PATH('tr'), TYPE)

    select @xml