How can we use MySQL LPAD() and RPAD() functions in the same query for padding the string to both sides, left and right, of the original string?

For achieving this, we must have to use one of the functions as the 1st argument of the other function. In other words, either RPAD() function would be the 1st argument of LPAD() function or LPAD() function would be the 1st argument of RPAD() function. It can be understood with the help of the following example

Example

mysql> Select RPAD(LPAD(' My name is Ram ',23,'* '),30,'* '); +------------------------------------------------+ | RPAD(LPAD(' My name is Ram ',23,'* '),30,'* ') | +------------------------------------------------+ | * * * * My name is Ram * * * *                 | +------------------------------------------------+ 1 row in set (0.00 sec)

In the query above, LPAD() is the first argument of RPAD() function.

mysql> Select LPAD(RPAD(' My name is Ram ',23,'* '),30,'* '); +------------------------------------------------+ | LPAD(RPAD(' My name is Ram ',23,'* '),30,'* ') | +------------------------------------------------+ | * * * * My name is Ram * * * *                 | +------------------------------------------------+ 1 row in set (0.00 sec)

In the query above, RPAD() is the first argument of LPAD() function.