# INTEGER function

The INTEGER function returns an integer representation of a number or character string in the form of an integer constant.

## Syntax

    INT[EGER] ( numericExpression | characterExpression )

numericExpression
  An expression that returns a value of any built-in numeric data type. If the argument is a numericExpression, the result is the same number that would occur if the argument were assigned to a large integer column or variable. If the whole part of the argument is not within the range of integers, an error occurs. The decimal part of the argument is truncated if present.
characterExpression
  An expression that returns a character string value of length not greater than the maximum length of a character constant. Leading and trailing blanks are eliminated and the resulting string must conform to the rules for forming an SQL integer constant. The character string cannot be a long string. If the argument is a characterExpression, the result is the same number that would occur if the corresponding integer constant were assigned to a large integer column or variable.

The result of the function is a large integer. If the argument can be null, the result can be null; if the argument is null, the result is the null value.

## Example

Using the EMPLOYEE table, select a list containing salary (SALARY) divided by education level (EDLEVEL). Truncate any decimal in the calculation. The list should also contain the values used in the calculation and employee number (EMPNO). The list should be in descending order of the calculated value:

    SELECT INTEGER (SALARY / EDLEVEL), SALARY, EDLEVEL, EMPNO
    FROM EMPLOYEE
    ORDER BY 1 DESC

Parent topic: Built-in functions