SQL Server POWER()

SQL Server POWER() Function

The SQL Server POWER() function returns the value of a number raised to the power of another number. This function is useful for performing exponential calculations.

Syntax

SELECT POWER(base, exponent);

The POWER() function takes two arguments:

  • base: The base number to be raised to a power.
  • exponent: The exponent to which the base number is raised.

Example SQL Server POWER() Function Queries

Let's look at some examples of SQL Server POWER() function queries:

1. Basic POWER() Example

SELECT POWER(2, 3) AS result;

This query returns the value of 2 raised to the power of 3. The result will be:

result
------
8

2. POWER() with a Negative Exponent

SELECT POWER(5, -2) AS result;

This query returns the value of 5 raised to the power of -2. The result will be:

result
------
0.04

3. POWER() with a Column

SELECT base, exponent, POWER(base, exponent) AS power_value
FROM calculations;

This query returns the value of the base column raised to the power of the exponent column for each record in the calculations table. The result will show the original base, exponent, and power_value for each calculation.

4. POWER() with a Variable

DECLARE @base FLOAT, @exponent FLOAT;
SET @base = 10;
SET @exponent = 2;
SELECT POWER(@base, @exponent) AS result;

This query uses variables to store the base and exponent values and then returns the result of raising the base to the power of the exponent. The result will be:

result
------
100

Full Example

Let's go through a complete example that includes creating a table, inserting data, and using the POWER() function.

Step 1: Creating a Table

This step involves creating a new table named calculations to store some sample data.

CREATE TABLE calculations (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    base FLOAT,
    exponent FLOAT
);

In this example, we create a table named calculations with columns for id, base, and exponent.

Step 2: Inserting Data into the Table

This step involves inserting some sample data into the calculations table.

INSERT INTO calculations (id, base, exponent) VALUES (1, 2, 3);
INSERT INTO calculations (id, base, exponent) VALUES (2, 5, -2);
INSERT INTO calculations (id, base, exponent) VALUES (3, 10, 2);
INSERT INTO calculations (id, base, exponent) VALUES (4, 7, 0.5);

Here, we insert data into the calculations table.

Step 3: Using the POWER() Function

This step involves using the POWER() function to return the result of raising the base column to the power of the exponent column.

SELECT id, base, exponent, POWER(base, exponent) AS power_value
FROM calculations;

This query retrieves the id, base, exponent, and the calculated power_value for each row in the calculations table. The result will be:

id  base  exponent  power_value
--- ----- --------- ------------
1   2     3         8
2   5     -2        0.04
3   10    2         100
4   7     0.5       2.6457513110645906

Conclusion

The SQL Server POWER() function is a powerful tool for returning the value of a number raised to the power of another number. Understanding how to use the POWER() function and its syntax is essential for effective exponential calculations and data processing in SQL Server.