SQL Data Types

SQL data types define the type of data to be stored, such as character strings, numbers, and dates.

• Character Data Types
  Use character data types for storing strings of letters, numbers and symbols.
• Numeric Data Types
  Use numeric data types for storing numerical data.
• Binary Data Types
  Use binary data types for storing raw binary data, such as pictures, in a hexadecimal-like notation, up to a length of (32K – 1) bytes.
• Bit Data Type
  Use the BIT data type for storing Boolean values.
• Date and Time Data Types
  Use date and time data types for storing dates and times.
• Domains
  Domains are aliases for built-in data types, including precision and scale values where applicable.
• Data Type Conversions
  Type conversions happen automatically, or you can explicitly request them using the CAST or CONVERT function.
• Compatibility of String to Datetime Conversions
  There are some differences in behavior between Sybase IQ and Adaptive Server Enterprise when converting strings to date and time data types.