Returns the value of an expression converted to a supplied data type.

The CAST, CONVERT, HEXTOINT, and INTTOHEX functions can be used to convert to and from hexadecimal values. For more information on using these functions, see Converting to and from hexadecimal values.

Syntax

CAST( expression AS datatype )

Parameters

Returns

The specified data type.

Remarks

If you do not indicate a length for character string types, the database server chooses an appropriate length. If neither precision nor scale is specified for a DECIMAL conversion, the database server selects appropriate values.

See also

• CONVERT function [Data type conversion]
• LEFT function [String]

Standards and compatibility

Example

The following function ensures a string is used as a date:

SELECT CAST( '2000-10-31' AS DATE );

The value of the expression 1 + 2 is calculated, and the result is then cast into a single-character string.

SELECT CAST( 1 + 2 AS CHAR );

You can use the CAST function to shorten strings

SELECT CAST ( 'Surname' AS CHAR(5) );