Use the conversion functions, CAST and CONVERT, to convert expressions of one data type to another data type when these conversions are not performed automatically by Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000. These conversion functions are also used to obtain a variety of special data formats. Either of the conversion functions can be used in the select list, in the WHERE clause, and anywhere an expression is allowed.

Use CAST rather than CONVERT if you want Transact-SQL program code to comply with SQL-92. Use CONVERT rather than CAST to take advantage of the style functionality in CONVERT.