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Tom Kyte

Thanks for the question, Naheed.

Asked: October 06, 2006 - 4:11 pm UTC

Last updated: October 06, 2006 - 4:37 pm UTC

Version: 9.1.1

Viewed 1000+ times

You Asked

Hi Tome

My question is what is the difference b/w number and integer in oracle. id there any difference in storage or performance if u declare a data type number and wat in case of integer.

and Tom said...

ops$tkyte%ORA10GR2> create table t ( x int );

Table created.

ops$tkyte%ORA10GR2> desc t;
Name Null? Type
---------------------------------------- -------- ----------------------------
X NUMBER(38)


"int" is an alias for Number(38) - upto 38 digits of precision (no scale, no decimals). Not a bit of difference in the storage at all.


b/w?
u?

you should really consider using real words for, well, words. It makes it needlessly hard to read.

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Comments

what about float ?

A reader, October 06, 2006 - 4:31 pm UTC 

float doesn't seem to be an alias

SQL> create table t ( x float);

Table created.

SQL> desc t
 Name                                      Null?    Type
 ----------------------------------------- -------- ----------------------------
 X                                                  FLOAT(126)


so when should I use float ?

Tom Kyte
October 06, 2006 - 4:37 pm UTC

you did not question me about float, so - why would I comment on that?

but rest easy, the float is also just an alias, it is really a number under the covers.

</code> http://docs.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14200/sql_elements001.htm#SQLRF00213 <code>

Not unless and until you start using the BINARY_.... floats/doubles would the story change at all.

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