Oracle / PLSQL: SIGN Function

This Oracle tutorial explains how to use the Oracle/PLSQL SIGN function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Oracle/PLSQL SIGN function returns a value indicating the sign of a number.

Syntax

The syntax for the SIGN function in Oracle/PLSQL is:

SIGN( number )

Parameters or Arguments

number

The number to test for its sign.

Returns

If number < 0, then the SIGN function returns -1. If number = 0, then the SIGN function returns 0. If number > 0, then the SIGN function returns 1.

Applies To

The SIGN function can be used in the following versions of Oracle/PLSQL:

• Oracle 12c, Oracle 11g, Oracle 10g, Oracle 9i, Oracle 8i

Example

Let's look at some Oracle SIGN function examples and explore how to use the SIGN function in Oracle/PLSQL.

For example:

SIGN(-23)
Output: -1

SIGN(-0.001)
Output: -1

SIGN(0)
Output: 0

SIGN(0.001)
Output: 1

SIGN(23)
Output: 1

SIGN(23.601)
Output: 1