ABS

Description

The ABS function is used to calculate the absolute value of a given numerical expression. Whether the input value is positive or negative, the ABS function can return the corresponding non-negative value.

Syntax

ABS(expr)

Parameters

• expr: A numeric expression for which the absolute value needs to be calculated. It can be smallint, tinyint, int, bigint, decimal, double, or float.

Return Value

Returns the absolute value of the parameter expr. The return type is the same as the input parameter type.

Example Usage

1. Calculate the absolute value of a negative integer:

SELECT ABS(-10); -- Returns 10

2. Calculate the absolute value of a positive integer:

SELECT ABS(5); -- Returns 5

3. Calculate the absolute value of a decimal:

SELECT ABS(-3.14); -- The return result is 3.14

4. Calculate the absolute value of a negative number with a decimal point:

SELECT ABS(-0.5); -- Returns 0.5

5. Calculate the absolute value of a decimal type:

SELECT ABS(-123.456); -- Returns the result 123.456

6. Use the ABS function in a query to get the absolute value of employee salaries:

SELECT employee_name, ABS(salary - 100) AS adjusted_salary
FROM employees;
-- In the returned results, each employee's `adjusted_salary` will display as the absolute value of the difference between the salary and 100

Notes

• When expr is NULL, the ABS function will return NULL.
• The ABS function can be used in conjunction with other SQL functions, such as when sorting or filtering queries.