Re: Number Vs. Varchar2 Datatype

[Saurabh Sharma]

Title: 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.     ----- Original Message ----- From: Arslan Dar To: 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