The **`LEFT()`** function returns a specific number of characters from the left side of a string. 

Figure 1 shows a visual representation of the `LEFT()` function.

# Syntax
```sql
LEFT(string, numOfChars)
```
# Parameter
The `LEFT()` function requires two parameters:
- A string from which the characters need to be extracted.
> If a number instead of a string is sent as a parameter, then the number will be cast to a string and the function will then be applied.
- The number of characters to be extracted from the original string.


# Return value
The `LEFT()` function returns the specific number of characters from the left side of a string sent as a parameter.
>If the number of characters is greater than the actual length of the string, then this function returns the entire string.

# Code





-- string sent
SELECT LEFT('HELLO',3);

-- number of characters greater than length of string
SELECT LEFT('HELLO',7);

-- number is sent instead of string
-- it will be cast as a string and then left() is applied
SELECT LEFT(12345,2);

What is LEFT() in SQL?

The LEFT() function extracts a specified number of characters from the left side of a string in SQL.