ABS

Syntax

Description of the illustration ''abs.gif''

Purpose

ABS returns the absolute value of n.

This function takes as an argument any numeric data type or any nonnumeric data type that can be implicitly converted to a numeric data type. The function returns the same data type as the numeric data type of the argument.

See Also:

Table 3-10, "Implicit Type Conversion Matrix" for more information on implicit conversion

Examples

The following example returns the absolute value of -15:

SELECT ABS(-15) "Absolute"
  FROM DUAL;

  Absolute
----------
        15