Differentiating between two Values in a single Number column..

Question

Hi,

I have a table which has only one number field: [ value NUMBER(12.0) ]

I would like to store these two types of non negative numbers.

Type A : ( a list of non negative numbers )

Type B : ( another list of non negative numbers )

I have just this one table. Without making any DML changes, is it possible for me to store both types of numbers, with some distinction..

I thought of using sign to differentiate , but it will fail in case of 0..

Thanks, Trinity

Answer 1

You can store either a or ~b. This fixes the problem with zero because ~0 is -1.

The expression ~b means the bitwise not of b and is equivalent to -b - 1.

However I would strongly advise you to change the schema if it is at all possible. This hack could turn out to be a maintenance nightmare for whoever has to take over the system after you.