Variable declared with variable keyword in sql plus(oracle 9i)?

Question

I am trying to declare g_num ,number data type with size it gives an error but in case of varchar2,char it does not.

variable g_name varchar2(5);//correct accept size for varchar 2
variable g_num number(23);//Gives an error

    " VAR[IABLE] [ <variable> [ NUMBER | CHAR | CHAR (n [CHAR|BYTE]) |
              VARCHAR2 (n [CHAR|BYTE]) | NCHAR | NCHAR (n) |
              NVARCHAR2 (n) | CLOB | NCLOB | REFCURSOR ] ]"

Please suggest!

Answer 1

The answer is already in your error message: NUMBER does not allow a precision in SQL*Plus.

VARIABLE g_num NUMBER;

works.

Here is a list with valid variable declarations in SQL*Plus.

The documentation says:

NUMBER
Creates a variable of type NUMBER with fixed length.

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Unfortunately I don't know why you can't specify precision with SQL*Plus, but I have been able to store 1.0E+125 with my tests.

What do you need precision for?

Answer 2

peter i agree with your answer but i need an explaination for that ,do u have link for the explaination!