# Cast Function
__*CAST function*__
+ syntax:
  + `CAST(expression AS TYPE)` 
+ The CAST function converts a value of any type to a value of the specified type. The target type can be one of the following types: `BINARY, CHAR, DATE, DATETIME, TIME, DECIMAL, SIGNED, UNSIGNED` 
+ For example:
  + `SELECT CAST(' ' as binary), binary(' ');` 
```
tidb> select cast(' ' as binary), binary(' ');
+------------------------------------------+--------------------------+
| cast(' ' as binary)                      | binary(' ')              |
+------------------------------------------+--------------------------+
| 0x20                                     | 0x20                     |
+------------------------------------------+--------------------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)
```

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- Cast function and operator table
  - `BINARY`: Converts a string to a binary string
  - `CAST()`: Converts a value to a determinate type
  - `CONVERT()`: Converts a value to a determinate type