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: 
You might be able to adapt something [like this](http://www.mitchelsellers.com/blogs/articletype/articleview/articleid/249/creating-random-sql-server-test-data.aspx) to load a test dataset of values, depending on what you are looking for
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.