What does the TRUNC function do?

The TRUNC function is designed to truncate a numeric value to a specified number of decimal places without performing any rounding calculations. This means that the function effectively cuts off any digits beyond the specified precision. For instance, if you apply the TRUNC function to the number 12.345 with a precision of 2, it will return 12.34, removing the digits that follow without rounding the result up or down.

This functionality is particularly useful when you need to maintain a certain level of precision or when you want to ensure that any calculations or outputs do not include unnecessary decimal digits. In essence, TRUNC allows for the simplification of numbers while preserving the desired format without altering their fundamental values through rounding. Understanding this distinction is crucial for tasks involving numerical data manipulation, where precision and control over output formats are required.