What is the difference between precision and scale?
OracleTypesOracle Problem Overview
What is the difference between precision and scale in Oracle? In tutorials they usually leave scale empty and set precision to 6 when creating a primary key.
What do precision and scale stand for?
Oracle Solutions
Solution 1 - Oracle
Precision 4, scale 2: 99.99
Precision 10, scale 0: 9999999999
Precision 8, scale 3: 99999.999
Precision 5, scale -3: 99999000
Solution 2 - Oracle
Precision is the total number of digits, can be between 1 and 38.
Scale is the number of digits after the decimal point, may also be set as negative for rounding.
Example:
NUMBER(7,5): 12.12345
NUMBER(5,0): 12345
More details on the ORACLE website:
https://docs.oracle.com/cd/B28359_01/server.111/b28318/datatype.htm#CNCPT1832
Solution 3 - Oracle
Precision is the number of significant digits. Oracle guarantees the portability of numbers with precision ranging from 1 to 38.
Scale is the number of digits to the right (positive) or left (negative) of the decimal point. The scale can range from -84 to 127.
In your case, ID with precision 6 means it won't accept a number with 7 or more significant digits.
Reference:
http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B28359_01/server.111/b28318/datatype.htm#CNCPT1832
That page also has some examples that will make you understand precision and scale.
Solution 4 - Oracle
Maybe more clear:
Note that precision is the total number of digits, scale included
> NUMBER(Precision,Scale) > > Precision 8, scale 3 : 87654.321 > > Precision 5, scale 3 : 54.321 > > Precision 5, scale 1 : 5432.1 > > Precision 5, scale 0 : 54321 > > Precision 5, scale -1: 54320 > > Precision 5, scale -3: 54000
Solution 5 - Oracle
Scale is the number of digit after the decimal point (or colon depending your locale)
Precision is the total number of significant digits
Solution 6 - Oracle
precision: Its the total number of digits before or after the radix point. EX: 123.456 here precision is 6.
Scale: Its the total number of digits after the radix point. EX: 123.456 here Scaleis 3
Solution 7 - Oracle
If value is 9999.988 and Precision 4, scale 2 then it means 9999(it represents precision).99(scale is 2 so .988 is rounded to .99)
If value is 9999.9887 and precision is 4, scale is 2 then it means 9999.99