LPAD(x,a,y,n) 

LPAD(x,a,y,n) is a string function that inserts the character string y (string literal) at the start of the character string x (string specification) as often as specified by the expression a. Only expressions that supply an alphanumeric value are permitted as string specifications. The result of the expression a must be a positive integer.

Leading and subsequent blanks in the character string x are truncated.

The optional parameter n (unsigned integer) defines the maximal total length of the character string created. n must be greater than or equal to the total LENGTH(x)+a*LENGTH(y).

	Result of the LPAD(x,a,y,n) function
LPAD(x,a,y) x must identify a CHAR or VARCHAR column.	The maximum length of the character string is the length of the character string x.
x or a is the NULL value	NULL value
a is the special NULL value	Error message

SELECT hno, LPAD(' ',TRUNC(price/10),'*',70) graph
FROM room WHERE price > 150 ORDER BY price DESC

Creating bar charts: LPAD inserts asterisks in front of the first parameter (in this case, a blank). This is done according to the number equal to price divided by 10.

HNO	GRAPH
130	**********************************************************************
140	************************************************************
50	**************************************************
60	**************************************************
150	*********************************************
80	****************************************
120	***********************************
90	******************************
130	***************************
10	********************
60	********************
140	********************
150	*******************
50	******************
70	******************
130	****************

See also:

RPAD(x,a,y,n)