why sql convert a number to '*' charachter

Question

i run this query in SQL Server 2008

declare @a varchar(1)
select @a = 22
select @a

it's return this

*

why this query make this result ?

Answer 1

You are converting a 2 character number into a 1 character field.

It won't fit.

SQL is indicating the data is missing. Otherwise, it would display just a 2 and you wouldn't know if this was the full value or not.