convert_from() — PostgreSQL formatting function

convert_from(): convert string with specified source encoding name. PostgreSQL type conversion functions — signature, volatility, version applicability and an illustrative example.

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

Summary

convert_from is a PostgreSQL built-in function in the Type Conversion Functions group. PostgreSQL’s system catalog (pg_proc) describes it as: “convert string with specified source encoding name”.

Signature

convert_from(bytea, 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: Type Conversion Functions
  • Kind: Function
  • Volatility: STABLE — Marked STABLE — within a single statement it returns a consistent result for the same arguments, but the result can change between statements.
  • Returns: text

Example

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

SELECT convert_from('\\x1234'::bytea, '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

convert_from 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 — Type Conversion Functions.