What is the default Precision and Scale for a Number in Oracle?

Question

When creating a column of type NUMBER in Oracle, you have the option of not specifying a precision or scale. What do these default do if you don\'t specify them?

Answer 1

I expand on spectra‘s answer so people don’t have to try it for themselves.

This was done on Oracle Database 11g Express Edition Release 11.2.0.2.0 - Production.

CREATE TABLE CUSTOMERS
(
  CUSTOMER_ID NUMBER NOT NULL,
  FOO FLOAT NOT NULL,
  JOIN_DATE DATE NOT NULL,
  CUSTOMER_STATUS VARCHAR2(8) NOT NULL,
  CUSTOMER_NAME VARCHAR2(20) NOT NULL,
  CREDITRATING VARCHAR2(10)
);

select column_name, data_type, nullable, data_length, data_precision, data_scale
from user_tab_columns where table_name ='CUSTOMERS'; 

Which yields

COLUMN_NAME      DATA_TYPE  NULLABLE DATA_LENGTH DATA_PRECISION DATA_SCALE
CUSTOMER_ID      NUMBER     N        22        
FOO              FLOAT      N        22          126    
JOIN_DATE        DATE       N        7        
CUSTOMER_STATUS  VARCHAR2   N        8        
CUSTOMER_NAME    VARCHAR2   N        20        
CREDITRATING     VARCHAR2   Y        10