to_ascii() — PostgreSQL string function

to_ascii(): encode text from DB encoding to ASCII text. PostgreSQL string functions — signature, volatility, version applicability and an illustrative example.

The Sev-1 Admin
The Sev-1 Admin  ·  2 min read

Summary

to_ascii is a PostgreSQL built-in function in the String Functions group. PostgreSQL’s system catalog (pg_proc) describes it as: “encode text from DB encoding to ASCII text”.

Signature

to_ascii has 3 documented overloaded forms:

to_ascii(text) → text
to_ascii(text, integer) → text
to_ascii(text, name) → text

Argument and return types are taken from the pg_proc catalog; internal type names are shown using their readable SQL spellings (for example int4 is shown as integer). (Derived from the catalog — see the linked reference for the canonical documentation.)

Classification

  • Category: String Functions
  • Kind: Function
  • Volatility: IMMUTABLE — Marked IMMUTABLE — it always returns the same result for the same arguments and can be used in indexes and other contexts that require immutability.
  • Returns: text

Example

Illustrative form (replace placeholder values with your own data):

SELECT to_ascii('abc');

The example above is illustrative and is meant to show calling syntax only; consult the linked PostgreSQL documentation for exact semantics, edge cases and accepted argument combinations.

Version applicability

to_ascii is present across the surveyed releases (PostgreSQL 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). On older major versions, behaviour may differ in detail — always check the documentation for the version you run.

Related & references

Reference: PostgreSQL documentation — String Functions.