Question: I've got a new varchar(10) field in a database with 1000+ records. I'd like to update the table so I can have random data in the field. I'm looking for a SQL solution.

I know I can use a cursor, but that seems inelegant.

MS-SQL 2000,BTW

Answer: 
Additionally, if you are just doing this for testing or one time use I would say that an elegant solution is not really necessary.
if you are in SQL Server you can use 

```
CAST(RAND() as varchar(10))

```

**EDIT**: This will only work inside an iteration. As part of a multi-row insert it will use the same RAND() result for each row.