RE: Varchars for all fields ......

bijuv@my-dejanews.com wrote: > > Hi, We are working on a new Database Model. This model will be = implemented > both in Informix and Oracle. Our Project Leader asked me to define all = the > feilds as Varchars so that we don't need to worry about Date formats,De= cimal > Precisions etc.. But I know that this will demand more work from me. We = need > to use date conversion functions, Numeric conversion functions( = ofcourse > toChar() Functions) and May need some extra Stored procedures to do the = work. > > I would like to have the group's opinion in this matter. This boss of yours - is he pointy-haired ? Carrying out this dangerously stupid suggestion will cause you more = headache than you have even imagined. Those functions you mentioned are = just the start...... There is no substitute for a properly modelled = database. A colleague of mine has a sign near his desk which reads: "There's never enough time for proper planning, so why can the time always be found to do the job twice over?" check out = http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert980605.html cheers RET +------------------------------------------+ | Richard Thomas | | DBA - Marketing Information Systems | | Optus IT | | email: richard_thomas@yes.optus.com.au | | Ph: +61 2 9342 7188 | | "My opinions are my opinions" | +------------------------------------------+