A quick experiment shows that if either numerator or denominator are decimal, that is preserved in the end result. Probably true for basic math operations in general.
GW
-----Original Message-----
From: pgsql-general-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Gregory Williamson
Sent: Thu 11/29/2007 10:37 PM
To: Postgres User; pgsql-general
Subject: Re: Simple math statement - problem
The question:
>
> How can I write statements that returns a decimal?
>
>
billing=# select 1/100;
?column?
----------
0
(1 row)
As you said ...
So make everything decimal:
billing=# select 1.0/100.0;
?column?
------------------------
0.01000000000000000000
Or:
billing=# select 1::decimal/100::decimal;
?column?
------------------------
0.01000000000000000000
I think that when you use integers you lose precision right out the gate. Others can provide better insight I hope ...
HTH,
Greg Williamson
Senior DBA
GlobeXplorer LLC, a DigitalGlobe company
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