The SQL CAST() function is used to convert data from one data type to another. It is commonly utilized to ensure compatibility between different data types in SQL queries, such as when comparing or manipulating data.
The syntax is:
CAST(expression AS target_data_type)
For example:
sql
SELECT CAST(123.45 AS INT);
This converts the float 123.45 into an integer 123.
CAST supports conversions like integers to strings, strings to dates, and more. It ensures compatibility with SQL standards and provides precise control over data transformation, making it a reliable choice for type conversion in SQL queries.