Join on partial column to compare ERP CRM codes - sql

Question

We're integrating our erp and crm. We want to compare lookup codes. The erp has codes in the code table, code_value column. The crm has a lookup table with a delimiter of // in the column. For example, the crm has state with the state abbreviation and // then the state long name. VA// VIRGINIA. It has the country code split with the first 15 characters and a //. I need to do left and right joins on the code_value column and the crm entry column on the characters before the // to find codes that don't match so we can update those to match. How do I join on the characters before the // delimiter? The position will change. There are many other codes to compare but the pattern is the same. The charters before the // delimiter in the crm match the erp. I need something like join on the length of the column before the // characters.
version sql server 2008r
erp
code table
code_value column
united states of america
Equatorial Guinea
VA
VI
crm
lookup table
entry
united states o//f america
Equatorial Guin//ea
VA// VIRGINIA
VI// VIRGIN ISLANDS
SELECT LOOKUP_CODE, CODE_VALUE_KEY, CODE_VALUE, SHORT_DESC, MEDIUM_DESC, LONG_DESC,
FIELDNAME, LOOKUPSUPP, ENTRY, MASTERVALUE, U_ENTRY, recid
FROM Bridge_Test.DBO.CODE_TABLE PW LEFT JOIN GoldMine_test.dbo.LOOKUP GM ON PW.MEDIUM_DESC = GM.ENTRY --need to join on first 15 characters

Answer 1

Just add LEFT() function to the on join part
it will look like this LEFT(GM.ENTRY, 15)
SELECT LOOKUP_CODE, CODE_VALUE_KEY, CODE_VALUE, SHORT_DESC, MEDIUM_DESC, LONG_DESC, FIELDNAME, LOOKUPSUPP, ENTRY, MASTERVALUE, U_ENTRY, recid
FROM Bridge_Test.DBO.CODE_TABLE PW
LEFT JOIN GoldMine_test.dbo.LOOKUP GM
ON LEFT(PW.MEDIUM_DESC, CharIndex('//', GM.ENTRY) -1) = LEFT(GM.ENTRY, CharIndex('//', GM.ENTRY ) -1)