Re: Storing Numeric Values in the Database

I prefer zoned and if there will be no decimal positions I prefer
integer...but that's just my 2 coppers.



From: Joe Pluta <joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 09/02/2011 07:03 AM
Subject: Storing Numeric Values in the Database
Sent by: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx



Generally speaking, what is the current wisdom about storing numeric
data in the database? Do folks still prefer packed representation for
data with decimal positions? Zoned is a little easier on the eyes when
looking at a raw record, but it takes a few more bytes especially as the
fields get larger. And as far as I know RPG still likes to convert
things to packed when it reads a file unless you tell it not to. That
being the case is there still a performance issue these days?

We like zoned fields here, but I'm trying to address the issue from a
thorough technical standpoint. If you're trying to be as lean as
possible, you could argue that integers should be stored in binary,
although that has its own issues. Heck, an argument could be made that
you should store all data as integers with implied digits and decimal
positions.

What say you all?

Joe