MySQL HEX() function

HEX() function

MySQL HEX() returns a string representation of a hexadecimal value of a decimal or string value specified as an argument.

If the argument is a string, each character in the argument is converted to two hexadecimal digits.

If the argument is decimal, the function returns a hexadecimal string representation of the argument and treated as a longlong (BIGINT) number.

This function is equivalent to CONV(N,10,16).

This function is useful in -

• It allows us to convert a numeric or string value to its hexadecimal representation.
• The HEX() function can be used in hashing or encoding operations, where a hexadecimal representation is required.
• HEX() function can be used to compare hexadecimal representations of values.

Syntax:

HEX (N or S)

Arguments:

MySQL Version: 8.0

Example: MySQL HEX() function

In the following MySQL statement, the argument 157 is a number, which is converted to a hexadecimal number. The output is 9D.

Code:

SELECT HEX(157); 

Output:

mysql> SELECT HEX(157);
+----------+
| HEX(157) |
+----------+
| 9D       | 
+----------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

Example of MySQL HEX() function on character value

In the above MySQL statement, the argument 'Q' is a string. The character of the string is converted to two hexadecimal digits. The output is 51.

Code:

SELECT HEX(‘Q’); 

Output:

mysql> SELECT HEX('Q');
+----------+
| HEX('Q') |
+----------+
| 51       | 
+----------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

Video Presentation:

All String Functions (Slides presentation)

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