3 ms·

I develop enterprise software, too, and I definitely think it matters there, too. You better make sure your database columns have the correct number type or you

• ionforce 12y ago
  You are comparing two different types of numbers. What was originally compared was different sized integral types. What you are comparing is two numeric types that have a large semantic gulf (fractions vs integers). So your point is disingenuous in the context of the former.
  • danbruc 12y ago
    I just wanted to address your point that enterprise software does usually not involve dealing with numbers. When it comes to integers you are right - signed and 32 bits is a viable choice in north of 90 % of all cases. And when I wrote you should be able to make good decision about the number type to use I was already thinking of all the number types, however I did not express this well. But then I really don't see a lot of difference between being able to choose between integer, floating point and decimal types on the one hand and various integer types on the other hand.
• rtpg 12y ago
  Yeah, you're right, data types matter. Like sibling said, this was more in response to signed/unsigned or different bit sizes. We could get rid of minutiae while still allowing for broad choice when it actually matters. I do think that the difference between Integer/Fractional is important, but honestly if you're dealing with money you should be using some Money datatype that's smart about this instead of raw numbers.