but my requirement is, i need to work on sql server 2005 only.

declare @a varchar(500) set @a = '1,2,3,4' how to generate output for all the combinations of input @a like 1,2,3,4 ; 1,2,4,3 ; 1,3,2,4 ; 1,3,4,2 ; 1,4,2,3 ; 1,4,3,2 ; 2,1,3,4; 2,1,4,3 ; 2,3,1,4... All the numbers will be in series like for 10 digits.. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. i require all the combinations to be generated. the series i found like in the input if last (N) and last-1 (N-1) digits are interchanged, in series 1,2,3,4, second sequence wil be 1,2,4,3 ( interchange last two digits). next 1,3,2,4(N-3 digit is incremented and missing numbers 2,4 are placed).Next sequence wil be 1,3,4,2 ( interchange last two digits).. it could give all the combinations. Could some one help me in providing solution for this. while i am using sql server 2005. thanks in advance, rpp