Default Scale value of Number column in Oracle

2
votes

Oracle Docs mentioned that the default precision value is 38 and scale is 0.

If a precision is not specified, the column stores values as given. If no scale is specified, the scale is zero.

But the table mentioned there (Table 26-1) contradicts the statement.

 Input Data   | Specified As  | Stored As  

 7,456,123.89 |  NUMBER       | 7456123.89

If the default scale is 0 (number of digits to the right of the decimal point) then how come the above number is stored with 2 decimal digits. i.e. .89 or have I totally misunderstood the default scale concept?

1
sqloraclesqldatatypes

1 Answers

1
votes

From the manual

If a precision is not specified, the column stores values as given

(emphasis mine)

In the example you are asking about, the column definition is just NUMBER so it lacks the precision and therefor the value is stored "as given".