Number Format Mask error

Question

If i am providing format mask is 9 and providing value as 5, then i am getting output as " 5", means a white space padded just before the output. so can any body inform me is this a forms 6i bug, or the output is something like this only.
A white space is padding just before the output for any Format Mask.

Answer 1

what is the maximum lenght of the value?
select max(length(MODEBA))
  from POLK_A_CT
SQL> with POLK_A_CT as
  2  (select '123' MODEBA from dual
  3   union all
  4   select '456' MODEBA from dual
  5   union all
  6   select '0987' MODEBA from dual)
  7  select to_number(MODEBA,'999') MODEBA
  8    from POLK_A_CT;
ERROR:
ORA-01722: invalid number
no rows selected
SQL> with POLK_A_CT as
  2  (select '123' MODEBA from dual
  3   union all
  4   select '456' MODEBA from dual
  5   union all
  6   select '0987' MODEBA from dual)
  7  select to_number(MODEBA,'099') MODEBA
  8    from POLK_A_CT;
ERROR:
ORA-01722: invalid number
no rows selected
SQL> with POLK_A_CT as
  2  (select '123' MODEBA from dual
  3   union all
  4   select '456' MODEBA from dual
  5   union all
  6   select '0987' MODEBA from dual)
  7  select lpad(MODEBA,3,'0') MODEBA
  8    from POLK_A_CT;
MOD
123
456
098
SQL>