Arithmetic Operators in SQL Server

Last Updated : 29 Apr, 2024

Arithmetic operators play a crucial role in performing mathematical calculations within SQL Server. These operators allow you to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more on numeric data stored in your database tables. In this article, we'll explore the various arithmetic operators available in SQL Server, discuss their usage with examples, and provide outputs to illustrate their functionality, all explained in an easy-to-understand manner for beginners.

Arithmetic Operators in SQL Server

Arithmetic operators in SQL Server are symbols or keywords used to perform mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and modulo (remainder) on numeric data types. These operators can be applied to columns, constants, or expressions in SQL queries to perform calculations and generate desired results.

Common Arithmetic Operators in SQL Server

SQL Server supports the following arithmetic operators:

Addition (+): Adds two numeric values together.
Subtraction (-): Subtracts one numeric value from another.
Multiplication (*): Multiplies two numeric values together.
Division (/): Divides one numeric value by another.
Modulo (%): Returns the remainder of a division operation.

Addition Operator (+)

The addition operator (+) in SQL Server is used to perform arithmetic addition on numeric values. It adds two numbers together and returns the result as a numeric value.

Syntax:

SELECT number1 + number2 AS result;

Example:

SELECT 5 + 3 AS Result;

Output:

In this example, the addition operator calculates the sum of 5 and 3, resulting in 8.

Subtraction Operator (-)

The subtraction operator (-) in SQL Server is used to perform arithmetic subtraction on numeric values. It subtracts one number from another and returns the result as a numeric value.

Syntax:

SELECT number1 - number2 AS result;

Example:

SELECT 10 - 5 AS Result;

Output:

In this example, the subtraction operator calculates the difference between 10 and 5, resulting in 5.

Multiplication Operator (*)

The multiplication operator (*) in SQL Server is used to perform arithmetic multiplication on numeric values. It multiplies two numbers together and returns the result as a numeric value.

Syntax:

SELECT number1 * number2 AS result;

Example:

SELECT 4 * 3 AS Result;

Output:

In this example, the multiplication operator calculates the product of 4 and 3, resulting in 12.

Division Operator (/)

The division operator (/) in SQL Server is used to perform arithmetic division on numeric values. It divides one number by another and returns the result as a numeric value.

Syntax:

SELECT number1 / number2 AS result;

Example:

SELECT 10 / 2 AS Result;

Output:

In this example, the division operator calculates the quotient of dividing 10 by 2, resulting in 5.

Modulus Operator (%)

The modulus operator (%) in SQL Server is used to calculate the remainder of a division operation between two numbers. It returns the remainder after dividing the first number by the second number.

Syntax:

SELECT number1 % number2 AS result;

Example:

SELECT 10 % 3 AS Result;

Output:

In this example, the modulus operator calculates the remainder when 10 is divided by 3, resulting in 1.

Order of Precedence

In SQL Server, arithmetic operators follow the standard order of precedence, where multiplication and division take precedence over addition and subtraction. You can use parentheses to control the order of operations.

Example:

SELECT 5 + 3 * 2 AS Result;

Output:

In the above example, multiplication is performed first, resulting in 3 * 2 = 6, then addition is performed, resulting in 5 + 6 = 11.

Combining Arithmetic Operators

You can combine multiple arithmetic operators in a single expression to perform complex calculations.

Example:

SELECT (10 + 5) * 2 / 3 AS Result;

Output:

In the above example, addition (10 + 5) is performed first, resulting in 15. Then, multiplication (15 * 2) is performed, resulting in 30. Finally, division (30 / 3) is performed, resulting in 10.

Handling NULL Values

When performing arithmetic operations involving NULL values, the result is NULL unless handled explicitly using the ISNULL or COALESCE functions.

Example:

SELECT ISNULL(10, 0) / ISNULL(NULL, 1) AS Result;

Output:

In the above example, ISNULL is used to replace the NULL value with 0 before division, resulting in 10.

Conclusion

Arithmetic operators are fundamental in SQL Server for performing mathematical calculations on numeric data. By understanding and utilizing these operators, you can manipulate data effectively within your database queries. In this article, we discussed addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and modulus operators, along with their usage examples and outputs.

Additionally, we explored the order of precedence and handling NULL values in arithmetic operations. As you continue to work with SQL Server, mastering arithmetic operators will enable you to perform a wide range of calculations and analyses on your data. Experiment with these concepts in your SQL queries to deepen your understanding and enhance your SQL skills.

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