However, using the nifty cast ::! instead of cast :: returns ALL cast failures as NULL instead of generating an error!
Example:
dbadmin=> \d test
List of Fields by Tables
Schema | Table | Column | Type | Size | Default | Not Null | Primary Key | Foreign Key
-------+-------+--------+-------------+------+---------+----------+-------------+
public | test | c | varchar(80) | 80 | | f | f |
(1 row)
dbadmin=> SELECT c
dbadmin-> FROM test;
c
---
1
A
(2 rows)
dbadmin=> SELECT c, c::INT "Will Error"
dbadmin-> FROM test;
ERROR 2827: Could not convert "A" from column test.c to an int8
dbadmin=> SELECT c, c::!INT "Will NOT Error"
dbadmin-> FROM test;
c | Will NOT Error
--+----------------
1 | 1
A |
(2 rows)
Helpful Link:https://www.vertica.com/docs/latest/HTML/index.htm#Authoring/SQLReferenceManual/LanguageElements/Operators/CastFails.htm
Have fun!
About the Author
James Knicely
Vertica Field Chief Technologist
I've had the privilege of working with many database technologies in my career. But after being introduced to Vertica in May of 2011 as a client, I was hooked on the new technology after witnessing a query run in milliseconds that had previously ran for hours on the legacy database we had in place. It was then that I knew I wanted to eventually join the Vertica team, and 4 years later I did! I am currently a Vertica evangelist and am ready to help you get on board! Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about Vertica and make sure to follow my Vertica Quick Tips!
