ASA SQL Reference
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CAST function [Data type conversion]

Function 

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

Syntax 

CAST ( expression AS data type )

Parameters 

expression    The expression to be converted.

data type    The target data type.

Usage 

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.

Standards and compatibility 

• SQL/92    This function is SQL/92 compatible.

• SQL/99    Core feature.

• Sybase    Not supported in Adaptive Server Enterprise.

See also 

CONVERT function [Data type conversion]

Example 

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

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

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

CAST( 1 + 2 AS CHAR )

You can use the CAST function to shorten strings:

CAST( Surname AS CHAR(10) )