difference between cast and convert

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difference between cast and convert

anithareddyg1

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August 4, 2008 at 12:52 pm

#72777

What is the main difference between cast and convert?
In datetime and another datatypes why we can chose particular cast or convert?

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Jack Corbett SSC Guru Points: 184394 More actions · Answer 1

They do the same thing, just a slightly different syntax. I prefer using Convert. I believe CAST is more widely implemented by other database platforms.

Jack Corbett
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Jeffrey Williams SSC Guru Points: 90350 More actions · Answer 2

Jack Corbett (8/4/2008)
They do the same thing, just a slightly different syntax. I prefer using Convert. I believe CAST is more widely implemented by other database platforms.

Although you can CAST a char/varchar to a datetime in some cases (as long as the format of the string matches the dateformat), you are better off using CONVERT so you can specify the format yourself.

Also, trying to CAST a datetime to a char will also present problems that can only be overcome using CONVERT.

So, yes - they can be interchanged for the most part, but there are a few things where using CONVERT is better.

BTW - CAST is part of the ANSI standard whereas CONVERT is not.

Jeffrey Williams
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