SQL functions

Functions are a very powerful feature of SQL

They can be used to do the following:

• Calculations on data
• Modify individual data items
• Manipulate output for groups of rows
• Format dates and numbers for display
• Convert column data types
• SQL functions sometimes take arguments and always return a value

Two Types of SQL Functions :

• Single-Row Functions
  – These functions operate on single rows only and return one result per row. There are different types of single-row functions.
• future posts covers the following ones:
  • Character
  • Number
  • Date
  • Conversion
  • General
• Multiple-Row Functions
  – Functions can manipulate groups of rows to give one result per group of rows. These functions are also known as group functions