MySQL CONV() function

CONV() function

MySQL CONV() converts a number from one numeric base number system to another numeric base number system. After the conversion, the function returns a string representation of the number.

When the argument defined is a NULL, the return value will be NULL.

The minimum base is 2 and the maximum base is 36. If the base to be converted to is a negative number, the number is regarded as a signed number. Otherwise, it is treated as unsigned.

This function is useful in -

• CONV() is a powerful function to convert numbers from one numeric base to another, for instance, from binary to decimal, or from hexadecimal to octal.
• Different numeric bases are used in cryptography and data compression algorithms to increase efficiency and security that managed by CONV().
• In electrical engineering and digital electronics, CONV() is used to convert numbers between binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal bases which are common in these fields.
• In web development, when generating unique IDs or shortening URLs, CONV() can be used to convert database-generated IDs to a more compact representation.
• In software development, when debugging or testing code that involves different bases (e.g., bit manipulation), CONV() can help verify the correctness of operations.
• In low-level programming, like assembly language, CONV() can be used to convert memory addresses from hexadecimal to binary for operations on specific bits.

Syntax:

CONV(num , from_base , to_base );

Arguments:

Syntax Diagram:

MySQL Version: 8.0

Pictorial presentation of MySQL CONV() function

Example of MySQL CONV() function

Code:

SELECT CONV(15,10,2);

Explanation:

The above MySQL statement will convert the numeric value of 15 from decimal number system to binary number system.

Output:

mysql> SELECT CONV(15,10,2);
+---------------+
| CONV(15,10,2) |
+---------------+
| 1111          | 
+---------------+
1 row in set (0.02 sec)

Example : CONV() function using character value

Code:

SELECT CONV('b',16,10)'Hexadecimal to Decimal',
  CONV('b',16,2) AS 'Hexadecimal to Binary';

Explanation:

The above MySQL statement will convert the hexadecimal ‘b’ in decimal number and binary number.

Output:

mysql> SELECT CONV('b',16,10)'Hexadecimal to Decimal',
    ->   CONV('b',16,2) AS 'Hexadecimal to Binary';
+------------------------+-----------------------+
| Hexadecimal to Decimal | Hexadecimal to Binary |
+------------------------+-----------------------+
| 11                     | 1011                  | 
+------------------------+-----------------------+
1 row in set (0.02 sec)

Example : CONV() function using negative base

Code:

SELECT CONV(19,10,-16);

Explanation:

The above MySQL statement will convert a decimal value 19 to a hexadecimal number. Here the base to be converted is -16, so it is treated as an unsigned number.

Output:

mysql> SELECT CONV(19,10,-16);
+-----------------+
| CONV(19,10,-16) |
+-----------------+
| 13              | 
+-----------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

All Mathematical Functions

Previous:CEILING()
Next: COS()