SQL ABS() function
Absolute value function
SQL ABS() function is used to get the absolute value of a number passed as an argument.
Syntax:
ABS(expression)
Parameters:
Name | Description |
---|---|
expression | An expression which is a numeric value or numeric data type. The bit data type is not allowed. |
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle and SQL Server
All of above platforms support the SQL syntax of ABS().
SQL ABS() function: Pictorial presentation
![SQL: abs() function](https://www.w3resource.com/w3r_images/sql-abs-function.gif)
Example :
To get the absolute value of the number -17.36 from the DUAL table, the following SQL statement can be used :
SELECT ABS(-17.36)
FROM dual;
Output:
ABS(-17.36) ----------- 17.36
SQL ABS() function with distinct clause
Sample table: agents
To get unique absolute value of the column 'commission' after multiplying by (-1) with a column alias "DISTINCT(ABS())" from the 'agents' table, the following SQL statement can be used :
SELECT DISTINCT(ABS(commission*(-1))) "DISTINCT(ABS())"
FROM agents;
Output:
DISTINCT(ABS()) --------------- .15 .11 .14 .13 .12
Note: Outputs of the said SQL statement shown here is taken by using Oracle Database 10g Express Edition.
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