In SQL, the division operation typically returns a numeric value with a data type based on the operands involved in the division. For example, if you divide two integers, the result will be an integer, and if you divide a floating-point number by an integer, the result will be a floating-point number.

However, if you want to ensure that the division result is always represented as a float, you can explicitly cast one or both of the operands to a floating-point data type before performing the division. By casting the operands to a float, you instruct the SQL engine to treat the division operation as a floating-point division, even if the operands are integers.

Here's an example in SQL:

SELECT CAST(10 AS float) / 3

In this example, the integer value 10 is explicitly cast as a float using the CAST function. As a result, the division operation will be treated as a floating-point division, and the result will be a float value (3.33333333333333 in this case).

By default, if you perform a division operation using only integer operands, the result will be an integer value and any fractional part will be truncated. Casting one or both operands to a float ensures that the division result includes the fractional part.