hi,
we currently have a column in our table (oracle 9i) defined as
number(30). however, when we try to insert data that has 25 digits,
it stores the number as 1.7909364352007E23. can you let me know why
it has exponents versus loading the number as is with 25 digits? how
can i change the datatype to store 25 digits. varchar(30)?

thanks!

On May 3, 2:30 pm, val <minnie_ngu...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> hi,
> we currently have a column in our table (oracle 9i) defined as
> number(30). however, when we try to insert data that has 25 digits,
> it stores the number as 1.7909364352007E23. can you let me know why
> it has exponents versus loading the number as is with 25 digits? how
> can i change the datatype to store 25 digits. varchar(30)?
>
> thanks!

number(30) would store that long number properly. It's probably a
display issue.

Are you using sqlplus to submit your select query? Try the COL command
to set the display format and length.

Cheers,

Romeo

On May 3, 3:05 am, romeo.olym...@gmail.com wrote:
> On May 3, 2:30 pm, val <minnie_ngu...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > hi,
> > we currently have a column in our table (oracle 9i) defined as
> > number(30). however, when we try to insert data that has 25 digits,
> > it stores the number as 1.7909364352007E23. can you let me know why
> > it has exponents versus loading the number as is with 25 digits? how
> > can i change the datatype to store 25 digits. varchar(30)?
>
> > thanks!
>
> number(30) would store that long number properly. It's probably a
> display issue.
>
> Are you using sqlplus to submit your select query? Try the COL command
> to set the display format and length.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Romeo

Romeo is correct in that this is a display issue.
UT1 > create table holdnumber (fld1 number(30));

Table created.

UT1 >
UT1 > insert into holdnumber values (1234567890123456789012345);

1 row created.

UT1 >
UT1 > select * from holdnumber;

FLD1
----------
1.2346E+24

UT1 > set numwidth 30
UT1 > select * from holdnumber;

FLD1
------------------------------
1234567890123456789012345

UT1 >
UT1 > drop table holdnumber;

Table dropped.

Val, look up the SET command in your SQLPlus manual. The options this
command provides are very useful for formatting queries and reports
via SQLPlus.

HTH -- Mark D Powell --