## How to Convert varbinary to char/varchar in MySQL?

Converting from varbinary to char/varchar in MySQL

MySQL users frequently encounter the need to convert data stored in varbinary format to character-based formats such as char or varchar. This conversion is essential for using the data in scenarios where character representations are required.

To achieve this conversion, MySQL provides two primary methods: CAST and CONVERT. Both functions enable you to transform varbinary data into a designated character type with the following syntax:

CAST(varbinary_field AS char/varchar(length))
CONVERT(varbinary_field, char/varchar(length))

For example, to convert a varbinary field named my_varbinary to a char field with a maximum length of 100 characters, you can use:

CAST(my_varbinary AS CHAR(100))

MySQL supports a range of character types for conversion, including:

• BINARY[(N)]
• CHAR[(N)]
• DATE
• DATETIME
• DECIMAL[(M[,D])]
• SIGNED/UNSIGNED [INTEGER]
• TIME

However, it's crucial to note that direct conversion to varchar is not possible. MySQL maintains an open bug from 2008 that prevents this specific conversion, causing inconvenience to certain scenarios.

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