Implement Validation Logic:

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Use constraints, triggers, or application-level validation to ensure phone numbers adhere to expected formats before saving to the database.

Index for Search:
If phone number searches are frequent, consider indexing these columns but be mindful that indexes on large VARCHAR fields can impact performance.

How to Validate and Query Phone Number Data in SQL Server
Validating phone number data within SQL Server involves a mix of T-SQL functions and constraints:

Using CHECK Constraints:
Define regex-like checks with LIKE patterns to enforce basic format rules (e.g., CHECK (PhoneNumber LIKE '+[0-9]%' )).

Using CLR Functions or Regex in Application Layer:
Since SQL Server T-SQL lacks full regex support, complex investor database validations are often better handled in the application or via SQL CLR functions.

Querying Phone Numbers:
When searching phone numbers, normalize input (remove spaces, hyphens, parentheses) for consistent comparison. For example, use REPLACE() functions to strip unwanted characters.

Example Query:

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SELECT * FROM Contacts
WHERE REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(PhoneNumber, ' ', ''), '-', ''), '(', '') = '14155552671';
Conclusion: Designing Efficient Phone Number Storage in SQL Server
Handling phone numbers in SQL Server requires thoughtful design because of the lack of a dedicated phone number data type and the variability in formatting. Using VARCHAR or NVARCHAR with standardized formats, separating components when necessary, and applying proper validation ensures that phone numbers are stored reliably and searchable efficiently.

By following best practices and validating input either within SQL Server or at the application level, developers can avoid common pitfalls such as inconsistent data, invalid numbers, or performance issues when querying large datasets.