SQL Server provides various functions to convert and format numbers in different data types. In this article, we will explore how to convert and format numbers using SQL Server functions.

Exact Numerical Conversions

SQL Server offers a range of functions for exact numerical conversions. These functions take any data type as input and return a natural number, also known as an integer. Here are some of the commonly used functions:

• CAST: Converts an expression to a specified data type.
• CONVERT: Converts an expression to a specified data type.
• PARSE: Converts a string to a specified data type.

For example, to convert a string to an integer, you can use the CAST function:

SELECT CAST('123' AS INT) AS ConvertedNumber;

This will return the value 123 as an integer.

Approximate Numerical Conversions

In addition to exact numerical conversions, SQL Server also provides functions for approximate numerical conversions. These functions take any data type as input and return a real number, also known as a floating-point number. Here are some of the commonly used functions:

• ROUND: Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places.
• FLOOR: Rounds a number down to the nearest integer.
• CEILING: Rounds a number up to the nearest integer.

For example, to round a number to two decimal places, you can use the ROUND function:

SELECT ROUND(3.14159, 2) AS RoundedNumber;

This will return the value 3.14 as a floating-point number.

Formatting Numbers

In addition to converting numbers, SQL Server also allows you to format numbers in different ways. You can use the FORMAT function to apply custom formatting to numbers. Here are some examples:

SELECT FORMAT(1234567, 'C') AS CurrencyFormat;
SELECT FORMAT(0.12345, 'P') AS PercentageFormat;
SELECT FORMAT(1234567, 'N') AS NumberFormat;

The first example will format the number 1234567 as a currency, the second example will format the number 0.12345 as a percentage, and the third example will format the number 1234567 with thousand separators.

By using the FORMAT function, you can easily customize the appearance of numbers in your SQL Server queries.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to convert and format numbers in SQL Server. We have seen examples of exact and approximate numerical conversions, as well as formatting numbers using the FORMAT function. By understanding these concepts, you can manipulate and present numbers in a way that suits your needs.