# SMALLINT

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

#### Syntax

    SMALLINT (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 small integer column or variable. If the whole part of the argument is not within the range of small 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. However, the value of the constant must be in the range of small integers. 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 small integer column or variable.

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

Parent topic: Built-in functions