SIGN Function - SQL

Overview

The SIGN function in SQL returns the sign of a numeric expression. It indicates whether the number is positive, negative, or zero.

Example:

SELECT SIGN(-10)

Syntax:

SELECT SIGN(numeric_expression)

numeric_expression is the number for which you want to determine the sign. The function returns 1 if the number is positive, -1 if it is negative, and 0 if it is zero.

Sample Data:

    
            first_name
            vacation_days
        
            Frank
            5
        
            Jane
            2
        
            Ashley
            3
        
            Glenn
            -3
        
            Kelly
            2
        
            Richard
            -7
        
            George
            2
        
            Kyle
            1
        
            James
            -2
        
            Gustavo
            -10

first_name	vacation_days
Frank	5
Jane	2
Ashley	3
Glenn	-3
Kelly	2
Richard	-7
George	2
Kyle	1
James	-2
Gustavo	-10

Example: Hard-coded value

In this example, we are returning the value of the sign for -10, since it is a negative number the final output is -1.

Example: Query without the WHERE Statement

In this example, we are returning the value of the signs for each row in the vacation_days column.

Example: Query with the WHERE Statement

In this example, we are returning the value of the signs for each row in the vacation_days column where the first_name column equals ‘Kelly.’