====== CAST Function - PL/HQL Reference======

CAST function converts an expression to the specified data type.

**Syntax**:

<code language="sql">
CAST(expression AS datatype[(length)]); 
</code>

Notes:

  * If //length// is specified for CAST as CHAR or VARCHAR function, the resulting string is truncated to this length.

**Example 1:**

Convert to a string with the specified length:

<code language="sql">
CAST('Abc' AS CHAR(1)); 
--
A
</code> 

**Example 2:**

Truncate a timestamp string:

<code language="sql">
CAST(TIMESTAMP '2015-03-12 10:58:34.111' AS CHAR(10));
--
2015-03-12
</code> 

**Compatibility**: Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, Teradata, PostgreSQL, MySQL and Netezza

**Version**: PL/HQL 0.03