SQL> Syntax: SUBSTR(<string_expression>, <numeric_position> [,<substring_length>]) SQL> SQL> SELECT 2 SUBSTR('HELLO, WORLD', 1,5) first_word, 3 SUBSTR('HELLO, WORLD', 8) last_word, 4 SUBSTR('HELLO, WORLD',-5) back 5 FROM dual; FIRST LAST_ BACK ----- ----- ----- HELLO WORLD WORLD SQL>