CAST Function
The CAST
function is used to convert an expression from one data type to another. It is useful for ensuring that data is in the correct format for operations or output.
Example: Using CAST
SELECT Name, CAST(BirthDate AS VARCHAR(10)) AS BirthDateText
FROM FreedomFighters;
Output:
Converts the BirthDate
column to a text representation.
Do's and Don'ts
Do's
- Use
CAST
to convert data types explicitly and avoid errors. - Ensure the target data type can represent the source data accurately.
Don'ts
- Don't use
CAST
unnecessarily; avoid conversions unless needed. - Don't forget to handle exceptions when casting may fail.