I have a column declared as decimal(4,4). Currently it stores 0.0400 as the value. Now I need to update the value stored from 0.0400 to 9.95.I used the following query :
Update <tablename>
set <columnname>= 9.95
where <condition>
When I try to execute, I get the following error : Arithmetic overflow error converting numeric to data type numeric. The statement has been terminated.
Kindly help.
Defining a column as decimal(4,4) is the equivalent of saying
I will have 4 digits in total, of which 4 come after the decimal point
To represent 9.95, you'd need to store it as 9.9500 to satisfy the '4 decimal places' condition. But this now exceeds the 'max 4 digits' condition and so can't be converted.
You'd need at least decimal(5, 4) to store 9.95 as a decimal in this way.
If you write decimal(4,4), what the database hears is:
So a decimal(4,4) can store the range 0.0000 to 0.9999 (and its negative equivalent). But 9.95 is outside that range, so it will return an error.
I had similar issue few years ago, here is my understanding.
Decimal(TotalDigitsIncludingDecimal,DecimalPlaces)
Eg: Value = 50.05 declare Decimal(4,2) Eg: Value = 5000.0005 declare Decimal(8,4)
Decimal(6,2) means:
At most 4 digits to the left of the decimal point, since you can have 2 to the right of the decimal point. (even if you don't see them, or use them)
It is VERY wrong to say "you can have 6 digits total". 12345 is less than 6 digits total. But it'll overflow.
I'm not sure why SQL didn't just make it "Decimal(left, right)" and you would instantly see the limits you can store there.
