The format mask can be stretched out but can’t be contracted

When we are using a format mask ( for example with TO_NUMBER function ) we have basically three options :

1 We can use the format mask as is, means the format mask will replicate the format of our data exactly. If we have 4 digits before the dot and two digits after the dot as our data, then format mask is exactly the same

 

2 The second case when the format mask is stretched out, it will also work

As we can see the mask has 5 positions before the dot and three positions after the dot, while actual data has 4 and 2 respectively. Leading and trailing zeros are not shown in this case

 

3 But, if you make your mask contracted it won’t work – be careful because many students just don’t pay attention to it and losing their points on their exam on this simple question

You can find a corresponding test about it in the Book

 

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