PRB: CONVERTing Character to an Integer Causes Syntax Error

• Microsoft SQL Server for OS/2, version 4.2
• Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2

SYMPTOMS

According to the "Microsoft SQL Server Language Reference," you can convert from a character to an integer. However, the following statement,

   select convert(int,'A') 

Msg 249, Level 16, State 1
Syntax error converting CHAR value 'A' to an INT4 field

CAUSE

A convert() from a char to an integer can only be done if it "makes sense." For example, you can convert the character "1" (one) to an integer, but you cannot convert the letter "A". For example

   select convert(int,'1') 

WORKAROUND

To return the ASCII numerical representation of a letter, use the ascii() function. For example

   select ascii('A') 

Additional query words: Transact-SQL Windows NT

Keywords          : kbother SSrvGen SSrvServer SSrvWinNT 
Version           : 
Platform          : OS/2 WINDOWS 
Issue type        : 

Last Reviewed: March 9, 1999