Re: [PATCHES] to_char(FM9.9) bug fix

On Fri, Sep 20, 2002 at 09:24:00PM +0200, Peter Eisentraut wrote:
> Karel Zak writes:
>
> > test=# select to_char(0,'FM9.9');
> > to_char
> > ---------
> > 0.
> > (1 row)
> >
> > test=# select to_char(1,'FM9.9');
> > to_char
> > ---------
> > 1.
> > (1 row)
>
> I find this highly bizzare. The FM modifier means to omit unnecessary

In the code it's commented as "terrible Ora format" :-)

> trailing stuff. There is no reasonable business or scientific custom to
> leave a trailing point after a number.

I think so. I don't know who can use format number like '1.' or '.0'.
Can somebody explain why Oracle implement it, who use it?

> Or perhaps a more pragmatic question is, how would I print a number
> without the trailing point?

Don't use FM or use FM9.0

Examples:

'SVRMGR' = Oracle8 Release 8.0.5.0.0
'test=#' = PostgreSQL 7.3b1

test=# select to_char(1, 'FM9.9');
to_char
---------
1.

SVRMGR> select to_char(1, 'FM9.9') from dual;
TO_C
----
1.

test=# select to_char(1, '9.9');
to_char
---------
1.0

SVRMGR> select to_char(1, '9.9') from dual;
TO_C
----
1.0

test=# select to_char(1, 'FM9.0');
to_char
---------
1.0

SVRMGR> select to_char(1, 'FM9.0') from dual;
TO_C
----
1.0

--
Karel Zak <zakkr(at)zf(dot)jcu(dot)cz>
http://home.zf.jcu.cz/~zakkr/

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