mysql - String truncate on length, but no chopping up of words allowed

Question

I want to limit a string field length in MYSQL on a certain length, but I don't want any chopping up of words to occur.

When I do:

SELECT SUBSTRING('Business Analist met focus op wet- en regelgeving', 1, 28)

I get this as output:

Business Analist met focus o

But I would like

Business Analist met focus

How can I enforce a limit of 28 chars, but prevent chopping up words? Off course it's easy in [insert programming language of choice here] ;-), but I want to know if it's possible in MYSQL in a simple statement.

Answer 1

What about splitting on spaces :

SELECT SUBSTRING_INDEX('Business Analist met focus op wet- en regelgeving',' ',4)

will return

Business Analist met focus