[IMPALA-11321] Cannot compare char to varchar

• Type: Bug
• Status: Closed
• Priority: Major
• Resolution: Duplicate
• Affects Version/s: Impala 4.0.0
• Component/s: Frontend
• Epic Color: ghx-label-3
• Assignee: Unassigned
• Reporter: Michael Smith
• Created: 25/May/22 16:15
• Updated: 25/May/22 16:23
• Resolved: 25/May/22 16:23

Description

Running

create table varchar_1 (s varchar(1));
create table char_1 (c char(1));
insert into varchar_1 values (cast('a' as varchar(1)));
insert into char_1 values (cast('a' as char(1)));
select * from varchar_1 vc, char_1 ch where vc.s=ch.c;

results in

ERROR: SqlCastException: targetType=VARCHAR(*) type=VARCHAR(10)

Other SQL implementations allow this, and the comparison semantics seem clear.

Issue Links

• duplicates: IMPALA-10086 SqlCastException when comparing char with varchar
• relates to: IMPALA-1652 Fix CHAR datatype: Incorrect results with basic predicate on CHAR typed column.