Parse domain name out of URL

I am wondering what is the best way to parse a domain name out of a url string using an sql function (and nothing else). The url could be "http:/www.somename.com/...." or "http://.somename.com/...." or "somename.com/...." As far as I know there is no built in functionality for reg expressions in MS SQL 2000. I was thinking maybe look for the first occurrence of a '.' followed by a '/' and then grab everything before the '/'. Has anyone else done this, and if so, how?

Hi Kommi!

You are right, there is no such function which may return domain out of a url. Based on your criteria, I have coded a function, I hope this would be helpful for you.
---------------------------------------------------------------
CREATE function usp_extract_domain(@chr varchar(255))
returns varchar(255)
as
BEGIN

declare @done bit
declare @cnt int
declare @subs char(1)
declare @starts int
declare @ends int

set @cnt = len(@chr)

--Find a dot(.)
set @done=0
while (@cnt<>0 or @done=1)
begin
set @subs=substring(@chr , @cnt, 1)
if (@subs='.')
begin
set @done=1
break
end
else
set @cnt= @cnt - 1
end

if (@done=0)
begin
return(0)
end

set @starts=@cnt+1

--Find next
set @cnt=len(@chr)
set @done=0
while (@cnt<>0 or @done=1)
begin
set @subs=substring(@chr , @cnt, 1)
if (@subs='/')
begin
set @done=1
break
end
else
set @cnt= @cnt - 1
end

if (@starts > @cnt)
begin
set @cnt=len(@chr)
set @ends=@cnt-(@starts-1)
end
Else
set @ends=@cnt-@starts

--Return the Result
return substring(@chr , @starts , @ends)
END
--------------------------------------------------------------
If this does not help you, tell me your problem in detail. If helps, don't forget to reply.

-Som Dutt

Hi,
You can also try the user defined function Parse_For_Domain_Name for this task at http://www.kodyaz.com/articles/how_...omain_name.aspx

Eralper