SLICE

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Syntax

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Slice endpoint (scalar)

slice(array, start, end)

• The third argument is the inclusive end index. It is not a length. Supply exactly three arguments.

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Arguments

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Returns

• Type: ARRAY<T>, preserving the input element type
• Possible values: Selected elements.
• NULL behavior: NULL supplied argument returns NULL.
• Shape: Contains the input elements between the inclusive start and end bounds, after adjusting out-of-range bounds as described below.
• Ordering: Preserves input encounter order; reversed positive bounds return an empty array.

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Properties

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Usage notes

• Negative bounds count from the end; start zero behaves as one.
• Bounds are inclusive, positive indexes are one-based, negative indexes count from the end, and start zero acts as one. Too-negative start is clamped to the start; an end beyond the length is clamped to the last element. An end below the array or a start beyond the array produces an empty array.
• INTEGER and INT mean the same type; STRING means VARCHAR text. NULL can be used with a supported type. Cast NULL explicitly when its type would otherwise be unclear.

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Examples

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Alias calling form: SLICE

SELECT slice(ARRAY[1, 2, 3, 4], 2, 3) AS "value";

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Count from the end of a string array

SELECT slice(ARRAY('a', 'b', 'c', 'd'), -2, -1) AS last_two;

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Limitations

• ARRAY_SLICE and SLICE take exactly three arguments. The third is an inclusive end index; SLICE does not use Spark’s length interpretation. A fourth step or stride argument is not accepted.