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DECIMAL - (MySQL Misc)

In MySQL, the DECIMAL data type is used to store exact decimal numbers. In this tutorial, we'll explore the syntax, example, output, explanation, use cases, important points, and summary of using the DECIMAL data type in MySQL.

Syntax

The syntax for defining a DECIMAL column in MySQL is as follows:

column_name DECIMAL(precision, scale)

Where "column_name" is the name of the column, "precision" is the total number of digits to be stored (up to 65), and "scale" is the number of digits to the right of the decimal point (up to the precision value).

Example

Let's say we want to create a table called "prices" that will store product prices with up to 4 decimal places. Here's how we can implement it:

CREATE TABLE prices (
   id INT,
   product_name VARCHAR(50),
   price DECIMAL(10,4)
);

Output

When we run the example code above, we will have successfully created a table called "prices" with three columns: "id", "product_name", and "price" that can store up to 4 decimal places.

Explanation

In the example above, we defined a table called "prices" with three columns: "id", "product_name", and "price". The "price" column is of type DECIMAL with a precision of 10 and a scale of 4. This means we can store up to 10 digits and up to 4 decimal places.

Use Cases

Using the DECIMAL data type in MySQL is useful when you need to store exact decimal values with a high degree of precision. It's commonly used for storing monetary values, scientific data, and other applications where precision is essential.

Important Points

  • The precision value can be up to 65, but keep in mind that larger precision values will require more storage space.
  • The scale value can be up to the precision value.
  • The maximum number of digits (precision) that can be stored in a DECIMAL column is 65, which means that the maximum number of decimal places (scale) that can be stored is also 65.
  • The DECIMAL column is not suitable for storing floating-point numbers because it stores exact decimal values.

Summary

In this tutorial, we explored the syntax, example, output, explanation, use cases, important points, and summary of using the DECIMAL data type in MySQL. With this knowledge, you can use the DECIMAL data type in your MySQL database to store exact decimal values with a high degree of precision, such as monetary values and scientific data.

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