Re: Converting between varchar and float when updating

On 28 April 2011 11:26, Thomas Larsen Wessel <mrvelle(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:

> I have a table with the following schema:
> CREATE TABLE foo (bar VARCHAR(32));
>
> Every bar value has a format like a float, e.g. "2.5". Now I want that
> value multiplied by two and saved again as varchar. I was hoping to do smth
> like:
>
> UPDATE foo SET bar = TO_VARCHAR( TO_FLOAT(bar) * 2); -- INCORRECT!!!!
>
> How is that done?
>
> I know that the bar attribute ought to have type FLOAT, but I have to work
> with this legacy database. And anyway this table will rarely be updated.
>
> Sincerely, Thomas
>
>
Hi,
maybe try this instead:

UPDATE foo SET bar = (bar::float * 2) :: text;

regards
Szymon