SIGN

Returns the positive (+1), zero (0), or negative (-1) sign of the given expression.

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

float

Examples

This 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 is 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)

See Also

Mathematical Functions