The function used to determine the kind of value stored in a VARIANT column in Snowflake is TYPEOF.
* Understanding VARIANT Data Type:
* VARIANT is a flexible data type in Snowflake that can store semi-structured data, such as JSON, Avro, and XML.
* This data type can hold values of different types, including strings, numbers, objects, arrays, and more.
* Using TYPEOF Function:
* The TYPEOF function returns the data type of the value stored in a VARIANT column.
* It helps in identifying the type of data, which is crucial for processing and transforming semi- structured data accurately.
* Example Usage:
SELECT TYPEOF(variant_column)
FROM my_table;
* This query retrieves the type of data stored in variant_column for each row in my_table.
* Possible return values include 'OBJECT', 'ARRAY', 'STRING', 'NUMBER', etc.
* Benefits:
* Simplifies data processing: Knowing the data type helps in applying appropriate transformations and validations.
* Enhances query accuracy: Ensures that operations on VARIANT columns are performed correctly based on the data type.
References:
* Snowflake Documentation: TYPEOF
* Snowflake Documentation: VARIANT Data Type