What is FLOOR and ceiling function in SQL?
The main difference between CEIL and FLOOR in SQL is that CEIL helps to obtain the smallest integer value that is bigger than or equal to a number while FLOOR helps to obtain the largest integer value that is smaller than or equal to a number. A Database Management System
(DBMS) is a software that helps to store and manage data in databases. A DBMS that follows the relational model is a Relational DBMS (RDBMS). There are various RDBMS such as MySQL. The programmer can execute a Structured Query Language
(SQL) to perform operations on the data in the databases. There are several SQL functions, and CEIL and FLOOR are two of them. 1. What is CEIL in SQL CEIL, FLOOR, RDBMS, SQL The CEIL() function helps to return the smallest integer value that is bigger than or equal to a specific number. The syntax is as follows. CEIL (number) An example is as follows. SELECT CEIL(50.87); It returns 51 as the output. Another example is as follows. SELECT CEIL (60.12); It returns 61 as the output. What is Floor in SQLThe FLOOR () function helps to return the largest integer value that is smaller than or equal to a specific number. The syntax is as follows. FLOOR (number) An example is as follows. SELECT FLOOR (50.87); It returns 50 as the output. Another example is as follows. SELECT FLOOR (60.12); It returns 60 as the output. Difference Between CEIL and FLOOR in SQLDefinitionCEIL() is a function that returns the smallest integer value that is bigger than or equal to a number while FLOOR() is a function that returns the largest integer value that is smaller than or equal to a number. Thus, this is the main difference between CEIL and FLOOR in SQL. UsageAnother difference between CEIL and FLOOR in SQL is that CEIL() helps to obtain the smallest integer value that is bigger than or equal to a number. FLOOR() helps to obtain the largest integer value that is smaller than or equal to a number. ConclusionRDBMS such as MySQL allows the programmers to write SQL queries to perform operations on the data stored in the databases. Two such functions are CEIL and FLOOR. The main difference between CEIL and FLOOR in SQL is that CEIL() helps to obtain the smallest integer value that is bigger than or equal to a number while FLOOR() helps to obtain the largest integer value that is smaller than or equal to a number. Reference 1. “MySQL CEIL() Function”, w3schools.com, Available here. Image Courtesy:1. “2394312” (CC0) via Pixabay About the Author: LithmeeLithmee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering and is reading for her Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is passionate about sharing her knowldge in the areas of programming, data science, and computer systems. You May Also Like TheseDevelopers deal with numerous data types on a day- to-day basis. We need to change the data type or format as per the user requirement. We use ‘SQL Server rounding function’ like SQL Round, Ceiling and Floor to round the values to the nearest numbers. We perform an arithmetic calculation on data as well. It is a challenging task to change the value of a number to an approximate number. We do not want to display decimal numbers in the application front end. The output of the aforementioned round functions depends upon the data types as well. Let’s have a look at each SQL Server Rounding functions definitions in this article. In SQL Server, Round function round a number to a specified length or precision. The SQL Round function accepts three parameters as per the following syntax:
SQL Server Rounding function – CEILING()We use the SQL CEILING function to evaluate the value and return the smallest integer greater than, or equal to, the specified numeric expression. It only accepts one value. Syntax of SQL CEILING function:
SQL Server Rounding function – FLOOR()The SQL Floor function is similar to a CEILING function with one difference. It returns the largest smallest integer greater than, or equal to, the specified numeric expression. It also accepts one value. Syntax of SQL FLOOR function:
Let’s walk through SQL Server Rounding functions with examples in the next section. Example 1: SQL Server Rounding functions with Integer data typeIn this example, we define a variable to hold integer value and use SQL Server Rounding functions to view the output. Positive Integer value
In the output, we can see that all three SQL Rounding functions (Round, CEILING and Floor) return the same output for the positive integer value. We do not have any decimal digit; therefore, Round function does not round the value. Similarly, CEILING and FLOOR function also do not return the smallest or largest integer value.
Negative Integer valueLet’s use negative integer value in the previous example and see the difference in the output.
We also get similar output for the negative integer value as well.
Positive Integer Value with Positive or Negative LengthIn the round function, we can use both positive and negative numbers for the second parameter Length. Let’s use different values in the Length parameter for the round function.
In the output, we can see the following.
Let’s look at another example of three digit positive integer number. It rounds the value until negative length 3 to the nearest tens place. If we use negative length 4 with a three-digit number, it returns 0.
Let’s use another example with integer value 457.
In this example, we can note the following regards to nearest tens place.
Negative Integer Value with Negative LengthIn this example, let’s use a negative length integer value along with the negative length as well. It also rounds up and down the value as per the length.
Example 2: SQL Rounding functions with decimal data typeIn this example, let’s use a variable with decimal data type and check the output for different length precision. Decimal data type value with positive LengthIn the following query, use the positive length for the decimal data type.
In this example, we can see that with decimal values round up to the nearest value as per the length.
Decimal data type value with negative LengthIn the following query, use the negative length for the decimal data type.
We can see that the output is rounded to nearest value .If length is insufficient, it also return zero value.
Decimal data type value with CEILING and Floor SQL Server rounding functions
Example 3: SQL Rounding functions with float data typeFloat data type value with positive and negative LengthLet’s use the float data type with positive and negative length values.
In this example, you can see the following things.
We can also understand using the following example.
Float data type value with CEILING and Floor SQL Server rounding functions
Example 4: SQL Rounding functions with Numeric data typeNumeric data type value with positive and negative LengthIn this example, we will use a numeric data type with both the positive and negative length values. It follows the same behavior as of decimal data type.
Numeric data type value with CEILING and Floor SQL Server rounding functions
Example 5: SQL Server rounding function Truncation using the third argumentIn the above examples, we have not used the third argument Function to truncate the result or round the result. By default, it uses value 0 to round the result. If we want to truncate the result, we can specify a value other than 0.
ConclusionIn this article, we explored the SQL Server Rounding functions with different data types. I would suggest reviewing them as per your environment. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
Hi! I am Rajendra Gupta, Database Specialist and Architect, helping organizations implement Microsoft SQL Server, Azure, Couchbase, AWS solutions fast and efficiently, fix related issues, and Performance Tuning with over 14 years of experience. I am the author of the book "DP-300 Administering Relational Database on Microsoft Azure". I published more than 650 technical articles on MSSQLTips, SQLShack, Quest, CodingSight, and SeveralNines. I am the creator of one of the biggest free online collections of articles on a single topic, with his 50-part series on SQL Server Always On Availability Groups. Based on my contribution to the SQL Server community, I have been recognized as the prestigious Best Author of the Year continuously in 2019, 2020, and 2021 (2nd Rank) at SQLShack and the MSSQLTIPS champions award in 2020. Personal Blog:
https://www.dbblogger.com View all posts by Rajendra Gupta What is floor function in SQL?The FLOOR() function returns the largest integer value that is smaller than or equal to a number.
What does ceiling mean in SQL?The CEILING() function returns the smallest integer value that is larger than or equal to a number.
Why do we use floor and ceiling functions?The floor and ceiling functions give us the nearest integer up or down.
What is floor function?The Math.floor() function always rounds down and returns the largest integer less than or equal to a given number.
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