we are using a generic data model (and the procedures to access the data within the model) from a third party consultant who wrote all of his work against a SQLServer database. SQLServer, and Sybase, have a datatype called 'variant' which has the equivalent functionality of the anydata datatype, i.e. the ability to store different datatype data in the same column (for this model, because it IS generic, it is possible for the data to be stored in that column to be numeric, character or date)
Since we did not have the time to redesign the model (which was the whole point of hiring this consultant) we needed to go with ANYDATA. We are rewriting his procedures into PL/SQL and that is where the error is occurring. I started the discussions on the list a few months back by asking about the datatype. I was, and am, opposed to using it for this. But I am neither the data modeler for this app nor the DBA and my opinions were ignored. Rachel --- "MacGregor, Ian A." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I remember when anydata was first discussed a few months ago. I > questioned how it could be part of proper database design; from what > domain would the anydata column draw its values? As I recall > everyone advised against its use, "It is a bad idea in Access and so > it is in Oracle." was the gist of the comments. One wag proposed > having two fields in the database, a sequence based primary key and > the anydata field. Apparently that person was too shy to rely on > rowid's :) > > Why did you decide to use anydata? How does it benefit to your > application? It strikes me as a bad idea, but I have not researched > it at length. > > Ian MacGregor > Stanford Linear Accelerator Center > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: Rachel Carmichael INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).
