UDF replace function - failing to recognize strings - sql

Question

I am trying to replace names found in 'xml' fieldname as hyperlinks, by matching with the names in database_tags.
I have created a simple UDF, but it does not execute the query correctly, as it creates duplicate name tags within the XML fieldname.
ALTER FUNCTION [dbo].[Tags](#XML VARCHAR(MAX))
RETURNS VARCHAR(MAX)
AS
BEGIN
SELECT #XML = REPLACE(#XML,[Name],''+[name]+'')
FROM [dbo].[database_tags]
where UploadDate >= '2014-09-01'
RETURN #XML
END
UPDATE:
I manage to update my function to the following below, however the function only is only recognizing one name from the XML fieldname data.
DECLARE #N VARCHAR(MAX)
SELECT #N = [Name] FROM [dbo].[database_tags]
WHERE #XML LIKE '%'+[Name]+'%'
AND UploadDate >= '2014-09-01'
IF #N IS NOT NULL
BEGIN
SELECT #XML = REPLACE(#XML,
#N,
''+#N+'')
END
RETURN #XML
END
Please advice further if possible. Many thanks

Answer 1

You can use a cursor to loop through values in the table replace each name with the hyper link. But replace can force unwanted outcome. For example if a configured name is part of a separate string function will replace it with a hyperlink.
Create FUNCTION [dbo].[ReplaceTags](#XML VARCHAR(MAX))
RETURNS VARCHAR(MAX)
AS
BEGIN
DECLARE #Name VARCHAR(MAX)
DECLARE CUR CURSOR FAST_FORWARD FOR
SELECT name
FROM database_tags
Where UploadDate >= '2014-09-01'
OPEN CUR
FETCH NEXT FROM CUR INTO #Name
WHILE ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
IF #Name IS NOT NULL
BEGIN
SELECT #XML = REPLACE(#XML,
#Name,
''+#Name+'')
END
FETCH NEXT FROM CUR INTO #Name
END
CLOSE CUR;
DEALLOCATE CUR;
RETURN #XML
END