SIGN (Transact-SQL)
Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW) SQL analytics endpoint in Microsoft Fabric Warehouse in Microsoft Fabric
Returns the positive (+1), zero (0), or negative (-1) sign of the specified expression.
Transact-SQL syntax conventions
Syntax
SIGN ( numeric_expression )
Arguments
numeric_expression
Is an expression of the exact numeric or approximate numeric data type category, except for the bit data type.
Return Types
Specified expression | Return type |
---|---|
bigint | bigint |
int/smallint/tinyint | int |
money/smallmoney | money |
numeric/decimal | numeric/decimal |
Other types | float |
Examples
The following example returns the SIGN values of numbers from -1 to 1.
DECLARE @value REAL
SET @value = -1
WHILE @value < 2
BEGIN
SELECT SIGN(@value)
SET NOCOUNT ON
SELECT @value = @value + 1
SET NOCOUNT OFF
END
SET NOCOUNT OFF
GO
Here's the result set.
(1 row(s) affected)
------------------------
-1.0
(1 row(s) affected)
------------------------
0.0
(1 row(s) affected)
------------------------
1.0
(1 row(s) affected)
Examples: Azure Synapse Analytics and Analytics Platform System (PDW)
The following example returns the SIGN values of three numbers.
SELECT SIGN(-125), SIGN(0), SIGN(564);
Here's the result set.
----- ----- -----
-1 0 1