Q: 'INTEGER' datatype in Oracle

Hello:

Q. 1

If I define a field as 'Integer' it is internally represented as NUMBER(38). Does any one have a clue how this is stored internally. Does it allocate 38 bytes and no matter what value is stored in there ( which will be a waste of space). I am trying to avoid using NUMBER fileds beacuse of the 3rd party vendor software that we are using with Oracle.

Q. 2

Is it faster to perform a search on a number field than a varchar2 field ? If so, why ?

Pls. e-mail me or post it here

Thanks in advance.

Syed Hasan
Citicorp,
LACB - Technology Office
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
305-489-3850

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Disclaimer: I do not speak for Citibank.


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