The DECIMAL data type in SQL Server is used for storing numbers with a fixed precision and scale. It's crucial for financial applications and other scenarios where accuracy is paramount. It's a preferred alternative to FLOAT for storing monetary values.
The DECIMAL data type in SQL Server is designed for storing numbers with a high degree of precision. Unlike FLOAT or REAL types, which can suffer from rounding errors, DECIMAL guarantees the exact representation of the number. This is particularly important for financial transactions, scientific calculations, or any application where accuracy is critical. The DECIMAL data type is defined by two parameters: precision and scale. Precision specifies the total number of digits the number can hold, while scale specifies the number of digits that can be stored after the decimal point. For example, DECIMAL(10, 2) allows for a maximum of 10 digits, with 2 of them being after the decimal point. This means numbers like 9999.99 are valid, but 100000.00 would be too large. Using DECIMAL ensures that you don't lose any data during calculations or storage, unlike floating-point types. A key advantage of DECIMAL is its ability to represent very large or very small numbers with precision. This makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from storing financial data to representing scientific measurements.
The DECIMAL data type is essential for applications requiring precise numerical representation, especially in financial and scientific contexts. Its fixed-point nature avoids the rounding errors inherent in floating-point types, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
DECIMAL stores numbers exactly as you write them, eliminating the rounding errors that often occur with floating-point types like FLOAT or REAL. This precise storage is essential for financial ledgers, scientific calculations, or any situation where even a small inaccuracy can cause downstream issues.
Precision is the total number of digits a value can contain, while scale is the subset of those digits that appear after the decimal point. In DECIMAL(10, 2) you get up to 10 digits overall, with exactly 2 allowed to the right of the decimal. Valid values range from –9 999 9.99 to 9 999 9.99; a number such as 100 000.00 exceeds the allowed precision.
Yes. Galaxy’s context-aware AI copilot reviews your queries for type mismatches, suggests proper DECIMAL precision and scale, and warns about potential precision loss when you cast between numeric types. This ensures your finance or analytics code stays accurate without tedious manual checks.