teradataml 17.20.0.7__py3-none-any.whl → 20.0.0.1__py3-none-any.whl

teradataml/dataframe/sql_functions.py

@@ -1,652 +1,652 @@
-from functools import wraps
-
-from teradataml.common.utils import UtilFuncs
-
-from teradataml.common.exceptions import TeradataMlException
-from teradataml.common.messages import Messages
-from teradataml.common.messagecodes import MessageCodes
-from sqlalchemy import func, literal
-from sqlalchemy.ext.compiler import compiles
-from sqlalchemy.sql import expression
-from sqlalchemy.sql.elements import BinaryExpression, ColumnClause
-from sqlalchemy.sql.expression import case as case_when
-
-from .sql import _SQLColumnExpression, _resolve_value_to_type
-from .sql_interfaces import ColumnExpression
-
-from teradatasqlalchemy.dialect import preparer, dialect as td_dialect
-from teradatasqlalchemy import (BYTEINT, SMALLINT, INTEGER, BIGINT, DECIMAL, FLOAT)
-from teradatasqlalchemy import (CHAR, VARCHAR, CLOB, NUMBER)
-from teradatasqlalchemy import (TIMESTAMP, DATE, TIME)
-
-__all__ = ['translate', 'to_numeric']
-
-def _as_varchar_literal(arg):
-    """
-    return a sqlalchemy literal
-
-    Parameters
-    ---------
-    arg: string literal
-
-    """
-    return literal(arg, type_ = VARCHAR(len(arg)))
-
-# TODO: refactor this once more functions are created
-#def _implementation(fn):
-#
-#  """
-#    This decorator wraps sql functions that generate expressions
-#    that can be used in DataFrame and Series methods such as assign.
-#
-#    The wrapper performs error checks as well as implements
-#    the kind of ColumnExpression instance to return
-#
-#    Parameters
-#    ----------
-#      A function or method that generates sql.
-#      The function is from the sql_functions module.
-#
-#    Examples
-#    --------
-#      @implementation
-#      def unicode_to_latin(x)
-#
-#  """
-#  @wraps
-#  def inner(*args, **kw):
-#
-#      res = fn(*args, **kw)
-#      return _SQLColumnExpression(res)
-#
-#
-#@_implementation
-
-def translate(x, source = 'UNICODE', target = 'LATIN'):
-    """
-    Returns a TRANSLATE(x USING source_TO_target) expression
-
-    PARAMETERS:
-      x: A ColumnExpression instance coming from the DataFrame
-         or output of other functions in sql_functions. A python
-         string literal may also be used.
-
-      source, target: str with values:
-        - 'UNICODE'
-        - 'LATIN'
-
-    REFERENCES:
-      Chapter 28: String Operators and Functions
-      Teradata® Database SQL Functions, Operators, Expressions, and
-      Predicates, Release 16.20
-
-    EXAMPLES:
-      >>> from teradataml.dataframe.sql_functions import translate
-
-      >>> df = DataFrame('df')
-      >>> tvshow = df['tvshow']
-
-      >>> res = df.assign(tvshow = translate(tvshow))
-    """
-
-    # error checking
-    if not isinstance(x, str) and not isinstance(x, ColumnExpression):
-      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('x', "a DataFrame column or string")
-      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
-
-    if not isinstance(source, str):
-      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('source', "a string")
-      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
-
-    if not isinstance(target, str):
-      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('target', "a string")
-      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
-
-    supported = ('UNICODE', 'LATIN')
-    if (source.upper() not in supported):
-      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(source.upper(), 'source', "in {}".format(supported))
-      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
-
-    if (target.upper() not in supported):
-      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(target.upper(), 'target', "in {}".format(supported))
-      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
-
-    # get the sqlalchemy expression
-    expr = None
-    if isinstance(x, ColumnExpression):
-      expr = x.expression
-
-    else:
-      expr = literal(x, type_ = VARCHAR(length = len(x), charset = 'UNICODE'))
-
-    if not isinstance(expr.type, (CHAR, VARCHAR, CLOB)):
-      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('x', "a DataFrame column of type CHAR, VARCHAR, or CLOB")
-      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
-
-    # get the result type
-    length, charset = expr.type.length, target
-    typ_ = CLOB(length, charset) if isinstance(expr.type, CLOB) else VARCHAR(length, charset)
-
-    # define an inner class to generate the sql expression
-    class _translate(expression.FunctionElement):
-        name = '_translate'
-        type = typ_
-
-    custom = source + '_TO_' + target
-    @compiles(_translate)
-    def default__translate(element, compiler, **kw):
-        column_expression = compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
-        return ('TRANSLATE({x} USING ' + custom + ')').format(x = column_expression)
-
-    return _SQLColumnExpression(_translate(expr.expression))
-
-def case(whens, value=None, else_=None):
-    """
-    Returns a ColumnExpression based on the CASE expression.
-
-    PARAMETERS:
-        whens:
-            Required Argument.
-            Specifies the criteria to be compared against. It accepts two different forms,
-            based on whether or not the value argument is used.
-
-            In the first form, it accepts a list of 2-tuples; each 2-tuple consists of (<sql expression>, <value>),
-            where the <sql expression> is a boolean expression and “value” is a resulting value.
-            For example:
-
-                case([
-                        (df.first_name == 'wendy', 'W'),
-                        (df.first_name == 'jack', 'J')
-                    ])
-
-            In the second form, it accepts a Python dictionary of comparison values mapped to a resulting value;
-            this form requires 'value' argument to be present, and values will be compared using the '==' operator.
-            For example:
-
-                case(
-                    {"wendy": "W", "jack": "J"},
-                      value=df.first_name
-                    )
-
-            Types: List of 2-tuples or Dictionary of comparison value mapped to a resulting value.
-
-        value:
-            Optional Argument. Required when 'whens' is of dictionary type.
-            Specifies a SQL expression (ColumnExpression or literal) which will be used as a fixed “comparison point”
-            for candidate values within a dictionary passed to the 'whens' argument.
-            Types: ColumnExpression or SQL Expression (Python literal)
-
-        else_:
-            Optional Argument.
-            Specifies a SQL expression (ColumnExpression or literal) which will be the evaluated result of
-            the CASE construct if all expressions within 'whens' evaluate to False.
-            When omitted, will produce a result of NULL if none of the 'when' expressions evaluate to True.
-            Types: ColumnExpression or SQL Expression (Python literal)
-
-
-    RETURNS:
-        ColumnExpression
-
-
-    EXAMPLES:
-        >>> from teradataml.dataframe.sql_functions import case
-        >>> load_example_data("GLM", ["admissions_train"])
-        >>> df = DataFrame("admissions_train")
-        >>> print(df)
-           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted
-        id
-        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0
-        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1
-        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0
-        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        8       no  3.60  Beginner    Advanced         1
-        25      no  3.96  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        24      no  1.87  Advanced      Novice         1
-        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        38     yes  2.65  Advanced    Beginner         1
-        >>> print(df.shape)
-        (40, 6)
-
-        >>> # Example showing 'whens' passed a 2-tuple - assign rating based on GPA
-        >>> # gpa > 3.0        = 'good'
-        >>> # 2.0 < gpa <= 3.0 = 'average'
-        >>> # gpa <= 2.0       = 'bad'
-        >>> # Filtering all the 'good' scores only.
-        >>> good_df = df[case([(df.gpa > 3.0, 'good'),
-                               (df.gpa > 2.0, 'average')],
-                               else_='bad') == 'good']
-        >>> print(good_df)
-           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted
-        id
-        13      no  4.00  Advanced      Novice         1
-        11      no  3.13  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        9       no  3.82  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1
-        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0
-        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1
-        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0
-        32     yes  3.46  Advanced    Beginner         0
-        >>> print(good_df.shape)
-        (35, 6)
-
-        >>> # Use DataFrame.assign() to create a new column with the rating
-        >>> whens_df = df.assign(rating = case([(df.gpa > 3.0, 'good'),
-                                                (df.gpa > 2.0, 'average')],
-                                                else_='bad'))
-        >>> print(whens_df)
-           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted   rating
-        id
-        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0     good
-        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1     good
-        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0     good
-        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1     good
-        8       no  3.60  Beginner    Advanced         1     good
-        25      no  3.96  Advanced    Advanced         1     good
-        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1     good
-        24      no  1.87  Advanced      Novice         1      bad
-        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1     good
-        38     yes  2.65  Advanced    Beginner         1  average
-        >>> print(whens_df.shape)
-        (40, 7)
-
-        >>> # Example not specifying 'else_'
-        >>> no_else =  df.assign(rating = case([(df.gpa > 3.0, 'good')]))
-        >>> print(no_else)
-           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted  rating
-        id
-        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0    good
-        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1    good
-        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0    good
-        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1    good
-        8       no  3.60  Beginner    Advanced         1    good
-        25      no  3.96  Advanced    Advanced         1    good
-        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1    good
-        24      no  1.87  Advanced      Novice         1    None
-        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1    good
-        38     yes  2.65  Advanced    Beginner         1    None
-        >>> print(no_else.shape)
-        (40, 7)
-
-        >>> # Example showing 'whens' passed a dictionary along with 'value'
-        >>> whens_value_df = df.assign(admitted_text = case({ 1 : "admitted", 0 : "not admitted"},
-                                                            value=df.admitted,
-                                                            else_="don't know"))
-
-        >>> print(whens_value_df)
-           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted  admitted_text
-        id
-        13      no  4.00  Advanced      Novice         1       admitted
-        11      no  3.13  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
-        9       no  3.82  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
-        28      no  3.93  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
-        33      no  3.55    Novice      Novice         1       admitted
-        10      no  3.71  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
-        16      no  3.70  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
-        32     yes  3.46  Advanced    Beginner         0   not admitted
-        34     yes  3.85  Advanced    Beginner         0   not admitted
-        17      no  3.83  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
-        >>> print(whens_value_df.shape)
-        (40, 7)
-
-        >>> # Example showing how you can decide on projecting a column based on the value of expression.
-        >>> # In this example, you end up projecting values from column 'average_rating' if 2.0 < gpa <= 3.0,
-        >>> # and the values from column 'good_rating' when gpa > 3.0, naming the column 'ga_rating'.
-
-        >>> from sqlalchemy.sql import literal_column
-        >>> whens_new_df = df.assign(good_rating = case([(df.gpa > 3.0, 'good')]))
-        >>> whens_new_df = whens_new_df.assign(avg_rating = case([((whens_new_df.gpa > 2.0) & (whens_new_df.gpa <= 3.0),
-                                                                  'average')]))
-        >>> literal_df = whens_new_df.assign(ga_rating = case([(whens_new_df.gpa > 3.0, literal_column('good_rating')),
-                                                               (whens_new_df.gpa > 2.0, literal_column('avg_rating'))]))
-        >>> print(literal_df)
-           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted good_rating   avg_rating ga_rating
-        id
-        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0        good         None      good
-        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1        good         None      good
-        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0        good         None      good
-        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1        good         None      good
-        8       no  3.60  Beginner    Advanced         1        good         None      good
-        25      no  3.96  Advanced    Advanced         1        good         None      good
-        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1        good         None      good
-        24      no  1.87  Advanced      Novice         1        None         None      None
-        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1        good         None      good
-        38     yes  2.65  Advanced    Beginner         1        None      average   average
-
-    """
-
-    # Variable contains_type stores the tdtypes
-    contains_type = set()
-    # Validations
-    new_whens = whens
-    # whens can be a dictionary, but requires values to be specified
-    if isinstance(whens, dict):
-        # Make sure values is passed and is of required type
-        if not value:
-            raise TeradataMlException(Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.DEPENDENT_ARG_MISSING, "value",
-                                                           "whens of dictionary type"),
-                                      MessageCodes.DEPENDENT_ARG_MISSING)
-        # as whens can take value only as Python type, so first mapping the value of
-        # Python type to tdtypes and storing the tdtypes in contains_type
-        for _, values in whens.items():
-            contains_type.add(type(_resolve_value_to_type(values)))
-        # If it is a teradataml ColumnExpression, we need to pass the SQLAlchemy Column Expression
-        if isinstance(value, ColumnExpression):
-            value = value.expression
-
-    # whens can be a list of 2-tuples
-    elif isinstance(whens, list):
-        new_whens = []
-        # Make sure the list of tuples has _SQLColumnExpression as first element
-        for when in whens:
-            raise_err = True if (not isinstance(when, tuple) or len(when) != 2) else False
-            if raise_err or (not isinstance(when[0], ColumnExpression) and not isinstance(when[0], BinaryExpression)):
-                raise TeradataMlException(Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.UNSUPPORTED_DATATYPE, 'whens',
-                                                               "a list of 2-tuples with each tuple having a"
-                                                               " boolean expression as the first element"),
-                                          MessageCodes.UNSUPPORTED_DATATYPE)
-
-            # If it is a teradataml ColumnExpression, we need to use the SQLAlchemy Column Expression
-            new_whens.append((when[0].expression if isinstance(when[0], ColumnExpression) else when[0],
-                              when[1].expression if isinstance(when[1], ColumnExpression) else when[1]))
-            # If when[1] is a teradataml ColumnExpression type or when[1] is a literal_column then store
-            # the tdtypes in contains_type.
-            if isinstance(when[1], (ColumnExpression, ColumnClause)):
-                contains_type.add(type(when[1].type))
-            # If when[1] is of Python data type, so first mapping the value of
-            # Python type to tdtypes and storing the tdtypes in contains_type
-            else:
-                contains_type.add(type(_resolve_value_to_type(when[1])))
-
-        # values will be ignored by SQLAlchemy when 'whens' is a 2-tuple list.
-        # However, an issue was noticed with it when it was actually passed a value, which resulted in an
-        # incorrectly formed CASE statement. We forcefully set it to NULL.
-        if value is not None:
-            value = None
-    else:
-        raise TeradataMlException(Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.UNSUPPORTED_DATATYPE, 'whens',
-                                                               "a list of 2-tuples with each tuple having a"
-                                                               " boolean expression as the first element"),
-                                          MessageCodes.UNSUPPORTED_DATATYPE)
-
-    # If it is a teradataml ColumnExpression, we need to use the SQLAlchemy Column Expression
-    # and storing the tdtypes of ColumnExpression in contains_type
-    if isinstance(else_, ColumnExpression):
-        else_ = else_.expression
-        contains_type.add(type(else_.type))
-    # If else_ is literal_column then store the tdtypes of literal_column used
-    elif isinstance(else_, ColumnClause):
-        contains_type.add(type(else_.type))
-    # if else_ is of python data type so first mapping the value of
-    # Python type to tdtypes and storing the tdtypes in contains_type
-    else:
-        contains_type.add(type(_resolve_value_to_type(else_)))
-
-    if isinstance(new_whens, dict):
-        output_case_when = case_when(new_whens, value=value, else_=else_)
-    else:
-        output_case_when = case_when(*new_whens, value=value, else_=else_)
-
-    # Here assigning the correct tdypes if there are multiple tdtypes present in case function
-    # according to below conditions and if contains_type doesnot contain any below condition
-    # we kept the type of output_case_when as it is(means type provided by case_when)
-    # If VARCHAR tdtypes present in case function assign column type to VARCHAR tdtypes
-    if VARCHAR in contains_type:
-        output_case_when.type = VARCHAR()
-    # If FLOAT tdypes present in case function assign column type to FLOAT tdtypes
-    elif FLOAT in contains_type:
-        output_case_when.type = FLOAT()
-    # If NUMBER tdypes present in case function assign column type to NUMBER tdtypes
-    elif NUMBER in contains_type:
-        output_case_when.type = NUMBER()
-    # If DECIMAL tdypes present in case function assign column type to DECIMAL tdtypes
-    elif DECIMAL in contains_type:
-        output_case_when.type = DECIMAL()
-    # If BIGINT tdypes present in case function assign column type to BIGINT tdtypes
-    elif BIGINT in contains_type:
-        output_case_when.type = BIGINT()
-    # If INTEGER tdypes present in case function assign column type to INTEGER tdtypes
-    elif INTEGER in contains_type:
-        output_case_when.type = INTEGER()
-    # If SMALLINT tdypes present in case function assign column type to SMALLINT tdtypes
-    elif SMALLINT in contains_type:
-        output_case_when.type = SMALLINT()
-    # If BYTEINT tdypes present in case function assign column type to BYTINT tdtypes
-    elif BYTEINT in contains_type:
-        output_case_when.type = BYTEINT()
-
-    return _SQLColumnExpression(output_case_when)
-
-def to_numeric(arg, **kw):
-
-    """
-    Convert a string-like representation of a number to a Numeric type.
-
-    PARAMETERS:
-      arg: DataFrame column
-      kw: optional keyword arguments
-        format_: string. Specifies the format of a string-like number to convert to numeric
-        nls: dict where 'param' and 'value' are keys:
-
-             - param specifies one of the following string values:
-                 -'CURRENCY', 'NUMERIC_CHARACTERS', 'DUAL_CURRENCY', 'ISO_CURRENCY'
-
-             - value: specifies characters that are returned by number format elements.
-                      See References for more information
-
-    REFERENCES:
-      Chapter 14: Data Type Conversion Functions
-      Teradata® Database SQL Functions, Operators, Expressions, and
-      Predicates, Release 16.20
-
-
-    RETURNS:
-      A DataFrame column of numeric type
-
-    NOTES:
-      - If the arg column input is a numeric type, it is returned as is
-      - Nulls may be introduced in the result if the parsing fails
-      - You may need to strip() columns that have leading or trailing spaces
-        in order for to_numeric to parse correctly
-
-    EXAMPLES:
-
-      >>> df = DataFrame('numeric_strings')
-
-                    hex decimal commas numbers
-          0        19FF   00.77   08,8       1
-          1        abcd    0.77   0,88       1
-          2  ABCDEFABCD   0.7.7   ,088     999
-          3        2018    .077   088,       0
-
-      >>> df.dtypes
-
-          hex        str
-          decimal    str
-          commas     str
-          numbers    str
-
-      # converting string numbers to numeric
-      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
-                    numbers = df.numbers,
-                    numeric = to_numeric(df.numbers))
-
-            numbers numeric
-          0       1       1
-          1       1       1
-          2     999     999
-          3       0       0
-
-
-      # converting decimal-like strings to numeric
-      # Note that strings not following the format return None
-      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
-                   decimal = df.decimal,
-                   numeric_dec = to_numeric(df.decimal))
-
-            decimal numeric_dec
-          0   00.77         .77
-          1    0.77         .77
-          2   0.7.7        None
-          3    .077        .077
-
-      # converting comma (group separated) strings to numeric
-      # Note that strings not following the format return None
-      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
-                    commas = df.commas,
-                    numeric_commas = to_numeric(df.commas, format_ = '9G99'))
-
-            commas numeric_commas
-          0   08,8           None
-          1   0,88             88
-          2   ,088           None
-          3   088,           None
-
-      # converting hex strings to numeric
-      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
-                    hex = df.hex, 
-                    numeric_hex = to_numeric(df.hex, format_ = 'XXXXXXXXXX'))
-
-                    hex   numeric_hex
-          0        19FF          6655
-          1        abcd         43981
-          2  ABCDEFABCD  737894443981
-          3        2018          8216
-
-      # converting literals to numeric
-      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
-                    a = to_numeric('123,456',format_ = '999,999'),
-                    b = to_numeric('1,333.555', format_ = '9,999D999'),
-                    c = to_numeric('2,333,2',format_ = '9G999G9'),
-                    d = to_numeric('3E20'),
-                    e = to_numeric('$41.99', format_ = 'L99.99'),
-                    f = to_numeric('$.12', format_ = 'L.99'),
-                    g = to_numeric('dollar123,456.00',
-                                   format_ = 'L999G999D99', 
-                                   nls = {'param': 'currency', 'value': 'dollar'})).head(1)
-
-              a         b      c                         d      e    f       g
-          0  123456  1333.555  23332 300000000000000000000  41.99  .12  123456
-
-      # For more information on format elements and parameters, see the Reference.
-    """
-
-    # validation
-    if not isinstance(arg, str) and not isinstance(arg, ColumnExpression):
-        msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('arg', "a string or DataFrame column of type CHAR or VARCHAR")
-        raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
-
-    expr = None
-    if isinstance(arg, ColumnExpression):
-        expr = arg.expression
-    else:
-        expr = literal(arg, type_ = VARCHAR(length = len(arg), charset = 'UNICODE'))
-
-    # The only reason to use to_numeric with a numerically typed column is if downcast is used, 
-    # but those downcasted types are not supported (uint8, int8, float32)
-    # TODO: Look into supporting downcasting if we implement the three downcasted types above
-    if isinstance(expr.type, tuple(UtilFuncs()._get_numeric_datatypes())):
-        return arg
-
-    if not isinstance(expr.type, (VARCHAR, CHAR)):
-        msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('arg', "a string or DataFrame column of type CHAR or VARCHAR")
-        raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
-
-    fmt = kw.get('format_', None)
-    nls = kw.get('nls', None)
-
-    if fmt is not None and not isinstance(fmt, str):
-        msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('format_', "a string")
-        raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
-
-    if nls is not None and not isinstance(nls, dict):
-        msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('nls', "a dict")
-        raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
-
-    # prepare for _to_number
-    if fmt is not None:
-        fmt = _as_varchar_literal(fmt)
-
-        if nls is not None:
-            if not (('param' in nls) and ('value' in nls)):
-                msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(nls, 'nls', 'dict with "param" and "value" keys')
-                raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
-
-            if not isinstance(nls['param'], str) and not isinstance(nls['value'], str):
-                msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(nls, 'nls', 'dict with "param" and "value" keys mapping to string values')
-                raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
-
-            nls_params = ('NUMERIC_CHARACTERS', 'CURRENCY', 'DUAL_CURRENCY', 'ISO_CURRENCY')
-
-            if not nls['param'].upper() in nls_params:
-                msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(nls['param'].upper(), "nls['param']", 'in {}'.format(nls_params))
-                raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
-
-            nls_param = nls['param'].upper()
-            nls_value = _as_varchar_literal(nls['value'])
-            nls = {'param': nls_param, 'value': nls_value}
-
-    elif nls is not None:
-      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.MISSING_ARGS).format('format_. format_ keyword must be specfied if the nls keyword is used')
-      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.MISSING_ARGS)
-
-    label = arg.name if isinstance(arg, ColumnExpression) else arg
-    stmt = _to_number(expr, format_=fmt, nls=nls).label(label)
-
-    return _SQLColumnExpression(stmt)
-
-
-class _to_number(expression.FunctionElement):
-    """
-    Internal class used for representing the TO_NUMBER function in the SQL Engine.
-
-    """
-    name = '_to_number'
-    type = NUMBER()
-
-    def __init__(self, arg, format_=None, nls=None, **kw):
-        """
-        See docstring for_to_numeric.
-
-        Reference
-        ---------
-        Chapter 14: Data Type Conversion Functions
-        Teradata® Database SQL Functions, Operators, Expressions, and
-        Predicates, Release 16.20
-
-        """
-        args = [arg, format_]
-        if nls is not None:
-            args.append(nls['value'])
-            self.nls_param = 'NLS_' + nls['param']
-
-        args = (x for x in args if x is not None)
-        super().__init__(*args)
-
-@compiles(_to_number)
-def _visit_to_number(element, compiler, **kw):
-    """
-    Compilation method for the _to_number function element class
-
-    Parameters
-    ----------
-    element: A sqlalchemy ClauseElement instance
-    compiler: A sqlalchemy.engine.interfaces.Compiled instance
-
-    """
-    col_exps = [compiler.process(exp, **kw) for exp in element.clauses]
-
-    optional = ''
-
-    # handle format
-    if len(col_exps) >= 2:
-        optional += ', {}'.format(col_exps[1])
-
-        # handle nls
-        if len(col_exps) >= 3:
-            optional += ", '{} = '{}''".format(element.nls_param, col_exps[2])
-
-    res = ('TO_NUMBER({x}{optional})').format(x = col_exps[0], optional = optional)
-    return res
+from functools import wraps
+
+from teradataml.common.utils import UtilFuncs
+
+from teradataml.common.exceptions import TeradataMlException
+from teradataml.common.messages import Messages
+from teradataml.common.messagecodes import MessageCodes
+from sqlalchemy import func, literal
+from sqlalchemy.ext.compiler import compiles
+from sqlalchemy.sql import expression
+from sqlalchemy.sql.elements import BinaryExpression, ColumnClause
+from sqlalchemy.sql.expression import case as case_when
+
+from .sql import _SQLColumnExpression, _resolve_value_to_type
+from .sql_interfaces import ColumnExpression
+
+from teradatasqlalchemy.dialect import preparer, dialect as td_dialect
+from teradatasqlalchemy import (BYTEINT, SMALLINT, INTEGER, BIGINT, DECIMAL, FLOAT)
+from teradatasqlalchemy import (CHAR, VARCHAR, CLOB, NUMBER)
+from teradatasqlalchemy import (TIMESTAMP, DATE, TIME)
+
+__all__ = ['translate', 'to_numeric']
+
+def _as_varchar_literal(arg):
+    """
+    return a sqlalchemy literal
+
+    Parameters
+    ---------
+    arg: string literal
+
+    """
+    return literal(arg, type_ = VARCHAR(len(arg)))
+
+# TODO: refactor this once more functions are created
+#def _implementation(fn):
+#
+#  """
+#    This decorator wraps sql functions that generate expressions
+#    that can be used in DataFrame and Series methods such as assign.
+#
+#    The wrapper performs error checks as well as implements
+#    the kind of ColumnExpression instance to return
+#
+#    Parameters
+#    ----------
+#      A function or method that generates sql.
+#      The function is from the sql_functions module.
+#
+#    Examples
+#    --------
+#      @implementation
+#      def unicode_to_latin(x)
+#
+#  """
+#  @wraps
+#  def inner(*args, **kw):
+#
+#      res = fn(*args, **kw)
+#      return _SQLColumnExpression(res)
+#
+#
+#@_implementation
+
+def translate(x, source = 'UNICODE', target = 'LATIN'):
+    """
+    Returns a TRANSLATE(x USING source_TO_target) expression
+
+    PARAMETERS:
+      x: A ColumnExpression instance coming from the DataFrame
+         or output of other functions in sql_functions. A python
+         string literal may also be used.
+
+      source, target: str with values:
+        - 'UNICODE'
+        - 'LATIN'
+
+    REFERENCES:
+      Chapter 28: String Operators and Functions
+      Teradata® Database SQL Functions, Operators, Expressions, and
+      Predicates, Release 16.20
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+      >>> from teradataml.dataframe.sql_functions import translate
+
+      >>> df = DataFrame('df')
+      >>> tvshow = df['tvshow']
+
+      >>> res = df.assign(tvshow = translate(tvshow))
+    """
+
+    # error checking
+    if not isinstance(x, str) and not isinstance(x, ColumnExpression):
+      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('x', "a DataFrame column or string")
+      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
+
+    if not isinstance(source, str):
+      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('source', "a string")
+      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
+
+    if not isinstance(target, str):
+      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('target', "a string")
+      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
+
+    supported = ('UNICODE', 'LATIN')
+    if (source.upper() not in supported):
+      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(source.upper(), 'source', "in {}".format(supported))
+      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
+
+    if (target.upper() not in supported):
+      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(target.upper(), 'target', "in {}".format(supported))
+      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
+
+    # get the sqlalchemy expression
+    expr = None
+    if isinstance(x, ColumnExpression):
+      expr = x.expression
+
+    else:
+      expr = literal(x, type_ = VARCHAR(length = len(x), charset = 'UNICODE'))
+
+    if not isinstance(expr.type, (CHAR, VARCHAR, CLOB)):
+      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('x', "a DataFrame column of type CHAR, VARCHAR, or CLOB")
+      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
+
+    # get the result type
+    length, charset = expr.type.length, target
+    typ_ = CLOB(length, charset) if isinstance(expr.type, CLOB) else VARCHAR(length, charset)
+
+    # define an inner class to generate the sql expression
+    class _translate(expression.FunctionElement):
+        name = '_translate'
+        type = typ_
+
+    custom = source + '_TO_' + target
+    @compiles(_translate)
+    def default__translate(element, compiler, **kw):
+        column_expression = compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
+        return ('TRANSLATE({x} USING ' + custom + ')').format(x = column_expression)
+
+    return _SQLColumnExpression(_translate(expr.expression))
+
+def case(whens, value=None, else_=None):
+    """
+    Returns a ColumnExpression based on the CASE expression.
+
+    PARAMETERS:
+        whens:
+            Required Argument.
+            Specifies the criteria to be compared against. It accepts two different forms,
+            based on whether or not the value argument is used.
+
+            In the first form, it accepts a list of 2-tuples; each 2-tuple consists of (<sql expression>, <value>),
+            where the <sql expression> is a boolean expression and “value” is a resulting value.
+            For example:
+
+                case([
+                        (df.first_name == 'wendy', 'W'),
+                        (df.first_name == 'jack', 'J')
+                    ])
+
+            In the second form, it accepts a Python dictionary of comparison values mapped to a resulting value;
+            this form requires 'value' argument to be present, and values will be compared using the '==' operator.
+            For example:
+
+                case(
+                    {"wendy": "W", "jack": "J"},
+                      value=df.first_name
+                    )
+
+            Types: List of 2-tuples or Dictionary of comparison value mapped to a resulting value.
+
+        value:
+            Optional Argument. Required when 'whens' is of dictionary type.
+            Specifies a SQL expression (ColumnExpression or literal) which will be used as a fixed “comparison point”
+            for candidate values within a dictionary passed to the 'whens' argument.
+            Types: ColumnExpression or SQL Expression (Python literal)
+
+        else_:
+            Optional Argument.
+            Specifies a SQL expression (ColumnExpression or literal) which will be the evaluated result of
+            the CASE construct if all expressions within 'whens' evaluate to False.
+            When omitted, will produce a result of NULL if none of the 'when' expressions evaluate to True.
+            Types: ColumnExpression or SQL Expression (Python literal)
+
+
+    RETURNS:
+        ColumnExpression
+
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+        >>> from teradataml.dataframe.sql_functions import case
+        >>> load_example_data("GLM", ["admissions_train"])
+        >>> df = DataFrame("admissions_train")
+        >>> print(df)
+           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted
+        id
+        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0
+        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1
+        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0
+        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        8       no  3.60  Beginner    Advanced         1
+        25      no  3.96  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        24      no  1.87  Advanced      Novice         1
+        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        38     yes  2.65  Advanced    Beginner         1
+        >>> print(df.shape)
+        (40, 6)
+
+        >>> # Example showing 'whens' passed a 2-tuple - assign rating based on GPA
+        >>> # gpa > 3.0        = 'good'
+        >>> # 2.0 < gpa <= 3.0 = 'average'
+        >>> # gpa <= 2.0       = 'bad'
+        >>> # Filtering all the 'good' scores only.
+        >>> good_df = df[case([(df.gpa > 3.0, 'good'),
+                               (df.gpa > 2.0, 'average')],
+                               else_='bad') == 'good']
+        >>> print(good_df)
+           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted
+        id
+        13      no  4.00  Advanced      Novice         1
+        11      no  3.13  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        9       no  3.82  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1
+        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0
+        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1
+        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0
+        32     yes  3.46  Advanced    Beginner         0
+        >>> print(good_df.shape)
+        (35, 6)
+
+        >>> # Use DataFrame.assign() to create a new column with the rating
+        >>> whens_df = df.assign(rating = case([(df.gpa > 3.0, 'good'),
+                                                (df.gpa > 2.0, 'average')],
+                                                else_='bad'))
+        >>> print(whens_df)
+           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted   rating
+        id
+        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0     good
+        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1     good
+        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0     good
+        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1     good
+        8       no  3.60  Beginner    Advanced         1     good
+        25      no  3.96  Advanced    Advanced         1     good
+        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1     good
+        24      no  1.87  Advanced      Novice         1      bad
+        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1     good
+        38     yes  2.65  Advanced    Beginner         1  average
+        >>> print(whens_df.shape)
+        (40, 7)
+
+        >>> # Example not specifying 'else_'
+        >>> no_else =  df.assign(rating = case([(df.gpa > 3.0, 'good')]))
+        >>> print(no_else)
+           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted  rating
+        id
+        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0    good
+        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1    good
+        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0    good
+        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1    good
+        8       no  3.60  Beginner    Advanced         1    good
+        25      no  3.96  Advanced    Advanced         1    good
+        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1    good
+        24      no  1.87  Advanced      Novice         1    None
+        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1    good
+        38     yes  2.65  Advanced    Beginner         1    None
+        >>> print(no_else.shape)
+        (40, 7)
+
+        >>> # Example showing 'whens' passed a dictionary along with 'value'
+        >>> whens_value_df = df.assign(admitted_text = case({ 1 : "admitted", 0 : "not admitted"},
+                                                            value=df.admitted,
+                                                            else_="don't know"))
+
+        >>> print(whens_value_df)
+           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted  admitted_text
+        id
+        13      no  4.00  Advanced      Novice         1       admitted
+        11      no  3.13  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
+        9       no  3.82  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
+        28      no  3.93  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
+        33      no  3.55    Novice      Novice         1       admitted
+        10      no  3.71  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
+        16      no  3.70  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
+        32     yes  3.46  Advanced    Beginner         0   not admitted
+        34     yes  3.85  Advanced    Beginner         0   not admitted
+        17      no  3.83  Advanced    Advanced         1       admitted
+        >>> print(whens_value_df.shape)
+        (40, 7)
+
+        >>> # Example showing how you can decide on projecting a column based on the value of expression.
+        >>> # In this example, you end up projecting values from column 'average_rating' if 2.0 < gpa <= 3.0,
+        >>> # and the values from column 'good_rating' when gpa > 3.0, naming the column 'ga_rating'.
+
+        >>> from sqlalchemy.sql import literal_column
+        >>> whens_new_df = df.assign(good_rating = case([(df.gpa > 3.0, 'good')]))
+        >>> whens_new_df = whens_new_df.assign(avg_rating = case([((whens_new_df.gpa > 2.0) & (whens_new_df.gpa <= 3.0),
+                                                                  'average')]))
+        >>> literal_df = whens_new_df.assign(ga_rating = case([(whens_new_df.gpa > 3.0, literal_column('good_rating')),
+                                                               (whens_new_df.gpa > 2.0, literal_column('avg_rating'))]))
+        >>> print(literal_df)
+           masters   gpa     stats programming  admitted good_rating   avg_rating ga_rating
+        id
+        5       no  3.44    Novice      Novice         0        good         None      good
+        3       no  3.70    Novice    Beginner         1        good         None      good
+        1      yes  3.95  Beginner    Beginner         0        good         None      good
+        20     yes  3.90  Advanced    Advanced         1        good         None      good
+        8       no  3.60  Beginner    Advanced         1        good         None      good
+        25      no  3.96  Advanced    Advanced         1        good         None      good
+        18     yes  3.81  Advanced    Advanced         1        good         None      good
+        24      no  1.87  Advanced      Novice         1        None         None      None
+        26     yes  3.57  Advanced    Advanced         1        good         None      good
+        38     yes  2.65  Advanced    Beginner         1        None      average   average
+
+    """
+
+    # Variable contains_type stores the tdtypes
+    contains_type = set()
+    # Validations
+    new_whens = whens
+    # whens can be a dictionary, but requires values to be specified
+    if isinstance(whens, dict):
+        # Make sure values is passed and is of required type
+        if not value:
+            raise TeradataMlException(Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.DEPENDENT_ARG_MISSING, "value",
+                                                           "whens of dictionary type"),
+                                      MessageCodes.DEPENDENT_ARG_MISSING)
+        # as whens can take value only as Python type, so first mapping the value of
+        # Python type to tdtypes and storing the tdtypes in contains_type
+        for _, values in whens.items():
+            contains_type.add(type(_resolve_value_to_type(values)))
+        # If it is a teradataml ColumnExpression, we need to pass the SQLAlchemy Column Expression
+        if isinstance(value, ColumnExpression):
+            value = value.expression
+
+    # whens can be a list of 2-tuples
+    elif isinstance(whens, list):
+        new_whens = []
+        # Make sure the list of tuples has _SQLColumnExpression as first element
+        for when in whens:
+            raise_err = True if (not isinstance(when, tuple) or len(when) != 2) else False
+            if raise_err or (not isinstance(when[0], ColumnExpression) and not isinstance(when[0], BinaryExpression)):
+                raise TeradataMlException(Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.UNSUPPORTED_DATATYPE, 'whens',
+                                                               "a list of 2-tuples with each tuple having a"
+                                                               " boolean expression as the first element"),
+                                          MessageCodes.UNSUPPORTED_DATATYPE)
+
+            # If it is a teradataml ColumnExpression, we need to use the SQLAlchemy Column Expression
+            new_whens.append((when[0].expression if isinstance(when[0], ColumnExpression) else when[0],
+                              when[1].expression if isinstance(when[1], ColumnExpression) else when[1]))
+            # If when[1] is a teradataml ColumnExpression type or when[1] is a literal_column then store
+            # the tdtypes in contains_type.
+            if isinstance(when[1], (ColumnExpression, ColumnClause)):
+                contains_type.add(type(when[1].type))
+            # If when[1] is of Python data type, so first mapping the value of
+            # Python type to tdtypes and storing the tdtypes in contains_type
+            else:
+                contains_type.add(type(_resolve_value_to_type(when[1])))
+
+        # values will be ignored by SQLAlchemy when 'whens' is a 2-tuple list.
+        # However, an issue was noticed with it when it was actually passed a value, which resulted in an
+        # incorrectly formed CASE statement. We forcefully set it to NULL.
+        if value is not None:
+            value = None
+    else:
+        raise TeradataMlException(Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.UNSUPPORTED_DATATYPE, 'whens',
+                                                               "a list of 2-tuples with each tuple having a"
+                                                               " boolean expression as the first element"),
+                                          MessageCodes.UNSUPPORTED_DATATYPE)
+
+    # If it is a teradataml ColumnExpression, we need to use the SQLAlchemy Column Expression
+    # and storing the tdtypes of ColumnExpression in contains_type
+    if isinstance(else_, ColumnExpression):
+        else_ = else_.expression
+        contains_type.add(type(else_.type))
+    # If else_ is literal_column then store the tdtypes of literal_column used
+    elif isinstance(else_, ColumnClause):
+        contains_type.add(type(else_.type))
+    # if else_ is of python data type so first mapping the value of
+    # Python type to tdtypes and storing the tdtypes in contains_type
+    else:
+        contains_type.add(type(_resolve_value_to_type(else_)))
+
+    if isinstance(new_whens, dict):
+        output_case_when = case_when(new_whens, value=value, else_=else_)
+    else:
+        output_case_when = case_when(*new_whens, value=value, else_=else_)
+
+    # Here assigning the correct tdypes if there are multiple tdtypes present in case function
+    # according to below conditions and if contains_type doesnot contain any below condition
+    # we kept the type of output_case_when as it is(means type provided by case_when)
+    # If VARCHAR tdtypes present in case function assign column type to VARCHAR tdtypes
+    if VARCHAR in contains_type:
+        output_case_when.type = VARCHAR()
+    # If FLOAT tdypes present in case function assign column type to FLOAT tdtypes
+    elif FLOAT in contains_type:
+        output_case_when.type = FLOAT()
+    # If NUMBER tdypes present in case function assign column type to NUMBER tdtypes
+    elif NUMBER in contains_type:
+        output_case_when.type = NUMBER()
+    # If DECIMAL tdypes present in case function assign column type to DECIMAL tdtypes
+    elif DECIMAL in contains_type:
+        output_case_when.type = DECIMAL()
+    # If BIGINT tdypes present in case function assign column type to BIGINT tdtypes
+    elif BIGINT in contains_type:
+        output_case_when.type = BIGINT()
+    # If INTEGER tdypes present in case function assign column type to INTEGER tdtypes
+    elif INTEGER in contains_type:
+        output_case_when.type = INTEGER()
+    # If SMALLINT tdypes present in case function assign column type to SMALLINT tdtypes
+    elif SMALLINT in contains_type:
+        output_case_when.type = SMALLINT()
+    # If BYTEINT tdypes present in case function assign column type to BYTINT tdtypes
+    elif BYTEINT in contains_type:
+        output_case_when.type = BYTEINT()
+
+    return _SQLColumnExpression(output_case_when)
+
+def to_numeric(arg, **kw):
+
+    """
+    Convert a string-like representation of a number to a Numeric type.
+
+    PARAMETERS:
+      arg: DataFrame column
+      kw: optional keyword arguments
+        format_: string. Specifies the format of a string-like number to convert to numeric
+        nls: dict where 'param' and 'value' are keys:
+
+             - param specifies one of the following string values:
+                 -'CURRENCY', 'NUMERIC_CHARACTERS', 'DUAL_CURRENCY', 'ISO_CURRENCY'
+
+             - value: specifies characters that are returned by number format elements.
+                      See References for more information
+
+    REFERENCES:
+      Chapter 14: Data Type Conversion Functions
+      Teradata® Database SQL Functions, Operators, Expressions, and
+      Predicates, Release 16.20
+
+
+    RETURNS:
+      A DataFrame column of numeric type
+
+    NOTES:
+      - If the arg column input is a numeric type, it is returned as is
+      - Nulls may be introduced in the result if the parsing fails
+      - You may need to strip() columns that have leading or trailing spaces
+        in order for to_numeric to parse correctly
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+
+      >>> df = DataFrame('numeric_strings')
+
+                    hex decimal commas numbers
+          0        19FF   00.77   08,8       1
+          1        abcd    0.77   0,88       1
+          2  ABCDEFABCD   0.7.7   ,088     999
+          3        2018    .077   088,       0
+
+      >>> df.dtypes
+
+          hex        str
+          decimal    str
+          commas     str
+          numbers    str
+
+      # converting string numbers to numeric
+      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
+                    numbers = df.numbers,
+                    numeric = to_numeric(df.numbers))
+
+            numbers numeric
+          0       1       1
+          1       1       1
+          2     999     999
+          3       0       0
+
+
+      # converting decimal-like strings to numeric
+      # Note that strings not following the format return None
+      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
+                   decimal = df.decimal,
+                   numeric_dec = to_numeric(df.decimal))
+
+            decimal numeric_dec
+          0   00.77         .77
+          1    0.77         .77
+          2   0.7.7        None
+          3    .077        .077
+
+      # converting comma (group separated) strings to numeric
+      # Note that strings not following the format return None
+      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
+                    commas = df.commas,
+                    numeric_commas = to_numeric(df.commas, format_ = '9G99'))
+
+            commas numeric_commas
+          0   08,8           None
+          1   0,88             88
+          2   ,088           None
+          3   088,           None
+
+      # converting hex strings to numeric
+      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
+                    hex = df.hex, 
+                    numeric_hex = to_numeric(df.hex, format_ = 'XXXXXXXXXX'))
+
+                    hex   numeric_hex
+          0        19FF          6655
+          1        abcd         43981
+          2  ABCDEFABCD  737894443981
+          3        2018          8216
+
+      # converting literals to numeric
+      >>> df.assign(drop_columns = True,
+                    a = to_numeric('123,456',format_ = '999,999'),
+                    b = to_numeric('1,333.555', format_ = '9,999D999'),
+                    c = to_numeric('2,333,2',format_ = '9G999G9'),
+                    d = to_numeric('3E20'),
+                    e = to_numeric('$41.99', format_ = 'L99.99'),
+                    f = to_numeric('$.12', format_ = 'L.99'),
+                    g = to_numeric('dollar123,456.00',
+                                   format_ = 'L999G999D99', 
+                                   nls = {'param': 'currency', 'value': 'dollar'})).head(1)
+
+              a         b      c                         d      e    f       g
+          0  123456  1333.555  23332 300000000000000000000  41.99  .12  123456
+
+      # For more information on format elements and parameters, see the Reference.
+    """
+
+    # validation
+    if not isinstance(arg, str) and not isinstance(arg, ColumnExpression):
+        msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('arg', "a string or DataFrame column of type CHAR or VARCHAR")
+        raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
+
+    expr = None
+    if isinstance(arg, ColumnExpression):
+        expr = arg.expression
+    else:
+        expr = literal(arg, type_ = VARCHAR(length = len(arg), charset = 'UNICODE'))
+
+    # The only reason to use to_numeric with a numerically typed column is if downcast is used, 
+    # but those downcasted types are not supported (uint8, int8, float32)
+    # TODO: Look into supporting downcasting if we implement the three downcasted types above
+    if isinstance(expr.type, tuple(UtilFuncs()._get_numeric_datatypes())):
+        return arg
+
+    if not isinstance(expr.type, (VARCHAR, CHAR)):
+        msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('arg', "a string or DataFrame column of type CHAR or VARCHAR")
+        raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
+
+    fmt = kw.get('format_', None)
+    nls = kw.get('nls', None)
+
+    if fmt is not None and not isinstance(fmt, str):
+        msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('format_', "a string")
+        raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
+
+    if nls is not None and not isinstance(nls, dict):
+        msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE).format('nls', "a dict")
+        raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.TDMLDF_UNKNOWN_TYPE)
+
+    # prepare for _to_number
+    if fmt is not None:
+        fmt = _as_varchar_literal(fmt)
+
+        if nls is not None:
+            if not (('param' in nls) and ('value' in nls)):
+                msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(nls, 'nls', 'dict with "param" and "value" keys')
+                raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
+
+            if not isinstance(nls['param'], str) and not isinstance(nls['value'], str):
+                msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(nls, 'nls', 'dict with "param" and "value" keys mapping to string values')
+                raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
+
+            nls_params = ('NUMERIC_CHARACTERS', 'CURRENCY', 'DUAL_CURRENCY', 'ISO_CURRENCY')
+
+            if not nls['param'].upper() in nls_params:
+                msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE).format(nls['param'].upper(), "nls['param']", 'in {}'.format(nls_params))
+                raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.INVALID_ARG_VALUE)
+
+            nls_param = nls['param'].upper()
+            nls_value = _as_varchar_literal(nls['value'])
+            nls = {'param': nls_param, 'value': nls_value}
+
+    elif nls is not None:
+      msg = Messages.get_message(MessageCodes.MISSING_ARGS).format('format_. format_ keyword must be specfied if the nls keyword is used')
+      raise TeradataMlException(msg, MessageCodes.MISSING_ARGS)
+
+    label = arg.name if isinstance(arg, ColumnExpression) else arg
+    stmt = _to_number(expr, format_=fmt, nls=nls).label(label)
+
+    return _SQLColumnExpression(stmt)
+
+
+class _to_number(expression.FunctionElement):
+    """
+    Internal class used for representing the TO_NUMBER function in the SQL Engine.
+
+    """
+    name = '_to_number'
+    type = NUMBER()
+
+    def __init__(self, arg, format_=None, nls=None, **kw):
+        """
+        See docstring for_to_numeric.
+
+        Reference
+        ---------
+        Chapter 14: Data Type Conversion Functions
+        Teradata® Database SQL Functions, Operators, Expressions, and
+        Predicates, Release 16.20
+
+        """
+        args = [arg, format_]
+        if nls is not None:
+            args.append(nls['value'])
+            self.nls_param = 'NLS_' + nls['param']
+
+        args = (x for x in args if x is not None)
+        super().__init__(*args)
+
+@compiles(_to_number)
+def _visit_to_number(element, compiler, **kw):
+    """
+    Compilation method for the _to_number function element class
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    element: A sqlalchemy ClauseElement instance
+    compiler: A sqlalchemy.engine.interfaces.Compiled instance
+
+    """
+    col_exps = [compiler.process(exp, **kw) for exp in element.clauses]
+
+    optional = ''
+
+    # handle format
+    if len(col_exps) >= 2:
+        optional += ', {}'.format(col_exps[1])
+
+        # handle nls
+        if len(col_exps) >= 3:
+            optional += ", '{} = '{}''".format(element.nls_param, col_exps[2])
+
+    res = ('TO_NUMBER({x}{optional})').format(x = col_exps[0], optional = optional)
+    return res