What SQL function converts text-form numbers into numeric floats?

• A. cast
• B. convert
• C. to_number
• D. parse_float

Answer: (A)

Converting text representations of numbers into numeric values is done through type casting in SQL. CAST is the standard way to change a value’s data type. For example, you can write CAST('123.45' AS FLOAT) to interpret the string as a floating-point number, yielding 123.45 as a numeric float. This approach is portable across many SQL dialects, making it a reliable choice for turning text into a numeric float.

Other options exist in some systems, but they’re less universal. CONVERT is similar but often vendor-specific in syntax and behavior. to_number can work in certain databases (sometimes with a format mask), but it isn’t part of the standard SQL and isn’t as universally available. parse_float isn’t a standard SQL function.

So CAST is the best fit for converting text-form numbers into numeric floats.