Get the type of a variable in MySQL

Question

If I define a variable like set @a = \"1\";. How can I see that @a is a string?

Answer 1

You cannot determine the type of a variable in MySQL.

As an alternative, you can easily CAST() your variable in the type you desire:

@a = CAST(123 AS CHAR);

More information and examples about casting in the MySQL Manual:

11.9. Cast Functions and Operators