title: How can I convert a string to a float in mysql?
body: <p>I have a table containing latitude and longitude values stored as strings (<code>VARCHAR</code>) which I'd like to convert to <code>FLOAT (10,6)</code>.</p>
  
  <p>However there doesn't appear to be a straightforward way to do this using <code>CAST()</code> or <code>CONVERT()</code>.</p>
  
  <p>How can I convert these columns easily? This is a one-time conversion.</p>