The difference between cast and convert forced type conversions in SQL Server

In SQL Server, both the cast and CONVERT functions are available for type conversions, and their functions are the same.

It's just a different syntax.

Cast is generally easier to use, and the advantage of convert is that dates and values can be formatted.

Select CAST('123'  as int)--123Select CONVERT(int,'123')--123Select CAST(123.4  as int)--123Select CONVERT(int,123.4)--123Select CAST('123.4'  as int)Select CONVERT(int,'123.4')--Conversion failed when converting the varchar value ' 123.4 ' to data type int.Select CAST('123.4'  as decimal)--123Select CONVERT(decimal,'123.4')--123Select CAST('123.4'  as decimal(9,2))--123.40Select CONVERT(decimal(9,2),'123.4')--123.40Declare @Num  MoneySet @Num = 1234.56Select CONVERT(varchar( -),@Num,0)--1234.56Select CONVERT(varchar( -),@Num,1)--1,234.56Select CONVERT(varchar( -),@Num,2)--1234.5600

The difference between cast and convert forced type conversions in SQL Server