AW: [AccessD] Number vs text data type

Garraway, Alun Alun.Garraway at otto.de
Mon Oct 13 08:27:35 CDT 2003


<My database administrator wants me to make the change>??

tell your boss he needs a new DBA <grin>



-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]Im Auftrag von CYNTHIA
SPELL
Gesendet: Montag, 13. Oktober 2003 14:59
An: accessd at databaseadvisors.com
Betreff: Re: [AccessD] Number vs text data type


Thanks, Andy.  Actually, you're all giving me the answer I was looking for.  My database administrator wants me to make the change and I've been resisting....  



>>> andy at minstersystems.co.uk 10/13/03 08:43AM >>>
Cynthia
If you changed them to text and the numbers ever increased to the point where some went to an 8th digit then you'll wish you hadn't. Sorting of numbers of variable lengths when held as text is a problem. You get ansers like:

1
10
11
12
2
20
200
21
3

and so on

I agree with Gustav. With no good reason to do it I'd leave well alone.
--
Andy Lacey
http://www.minstersystems.co.uk 



--------- Original Message --------
From: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving" <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
To: "accessd at databaseadvisors.com" <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
Subject: Re: [AccessD] Number vs text data type
Date: 13/10/03 11:54


Thanks, Gustav!

>>> gustav at cactus.dk 10/13/03 07:36AM >>>
Hi CYNTHIA

> I inherited a budget number database with the primary key being a 7-digit number. The data type for the field is currently number (long integer). Since the field requires no calculation, just
> some sorting, I'm considering changing the data type to text. The budget number table links to quite a few other databases, so I'll have to change the field in other places. Is there a benefit to
> or problem with using one or the other data type? I remember an instructor once saying that if there's a choice between using a text or number type, use number since numbers sort faster than text,
> but I'm not so sure he knew what he was talking about.

He did.

With no good reason for the change, I would spend my time on more
interesting tasks!

/gustav

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