Re: Number Vs. Varchar2 Datatype

this always a better decision to
decide the datatypes of such columns keeping in mind the future requirements.
u may come to a certain point where
u think, number datatype to be better and somewhere to varchar2.
 

u said number datatype which is not
always used for calculation.
actually a number datatype takes
less space on disk(actual storage space) as u define it. and as compared to varchar2 if difference is of concern.
 

it's a matter of requirement of
application.
 
 

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• Original Message ----- <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black">From: Arslan Dar To: <A href="mailto:ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com" title=ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com>Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 2:35 PM Subject: Number Vs. Varchar2 Datatype

  Hi list,
  We are in the design phase of our new database and   eventually there a number of feilds which are actually numeric say DEPARTMENT   NUMBER or EMPLOYEE CODE (they dont contain any alphabat or special character)   ,
  The main decision to be made right now is to choose   the right datatype, Options ofcourse are VARCHAR2 or NUMBER, i know its better   to have varchar2 cuz its a bit flexible, but i want some expert   opinion,
  can u tell me any pros and cons of having NUMBER or   Varchar2 datatype on a feild which is numeric, which may be PRIMARY KEY and   also which is NOT always used in Calculations,   which datatype is more efficient
  Its Oracle 8.1.7 on NT4,
  TIA,
  Arslan Received on Wed May 30 2001 - 06:51:17 CDT