Re: SQL*Loader - negative numbers

>=========="Aram Meguerian", 14/02/97==========
>
>----------
>> De: smp
>> Grupos de notícias: comp.databases.oracle.server
>> Assunto: SQL*Loader signed data
>> Data: Quinta-feira, 30 de Janeiro de 1997 06:39
>>
>>
>> I'm having to load data from a cobol(VRX) system into a new oracle
 database
>> (7.1.3). I've used SQL*Loader before but have never had to load negative
>> numbers. I can't find out how to load them! I.ve looked in the Utilities
>> manual but can't see anything for character (ie not binary) data. Any
 clues on
>> what datatype to use in the .ctl (zoned external? decimal external?)
>> TIA
>>
>>
>> Sally Pearce
>> Financials DBA(for my sins)
>>
>
> Usually we work around this problem declaring the SQL*Loader
> column as CHAR on the control file and applying an sql statement
> to that column as in "TO_NUMBER (:load_column, 'format')".
>
> It is better explained on chapter 5 of Oracle7 Server Utilities
> Guide.
>
> Hope it had helped.
>
>
> Aram Meguerian
> aram_at_uninet.com.br
>
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>

Thanks for the pointer. I hadn't spotted the 'Case Studies' chapter. I have now read it and found that if the field has a Leading separate sign ie -100 rather than 100-, and is declared as integer external(or decimal external)
it loads it quite happily! Many thanks for the info - you've saved me a load of work.

Sally Pearce
Financials DBA(for my sins) Received on Tue Feb 18 1997 - 00:00:00 CST