Problem with decimal symbol

Question

When I import in string format and after try to convert to number sometimes my procedure fails. I see that sometimes database need number string decimal symbol to be '.' and I replace ',' with '.' . But time after I find that I must change my procedure because system only acepts '.' like decimal symbol in to_number(str) operation. I think there could be two solutions I don't know how could be developed:
1) Control in de procedure which of the two symbols is accepted
2) Make Oracle database not to change decimal symbol setting
Any idea?
Thanks

Answer 1

That isn't a sql developer issue. You are not specifying the correct 'fmt' or nlsparam' parameters to the TO_NUMBER function.
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When I import in string format and after try to convert to number sometimes my procedure fails. I see that sometimes database need number string decimal symbol to be '.' and I replace ',' with '.' . But time after I find that I must change my procedure because system only acepts '.' like decimal symbol in to_number(str) operation. I think there could be two solutions I don't know how could be developed:
1) Control in de procedure which of the two symbols is accepted
2) Make Oracle database not to change decimal symbol setting
Any idea?
>
Your statement that "system only acepts '.' like decimal symbol in to_number(str) operation" is misinformed.
Oracle's TO_NUMBER function will accept both a format string and an nslparam parameter and will handle that conversion for you.
See the TO_NUMBER function in the SQL Language Reference.
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E14072_01/server.112/e10592/functions209.htm
More importantly see the TO_CHAR function in the same doc since the example for 'fmt' and 'nlsparam' are there
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E14072_01/server.112/e10592/functions199.htm#i79330
There are examples in the TO_CHAR section and this introductory text should satisfy you that these parameters will do what you need.
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TO_CHAR (number) converts n to a value of VARCHAR2 data type, using the optional number format fmt. The value n can be of type NUMBER, BINARY_FLOAT, or BINARY_DOUBLE. If you omit fmt, then n is converted to a VARCHAR2 value exactly long enough to hold its significant digits.
If n is negative, then the sign is applied after the format is applied. Thus TO_CHAR(-1, '$9') returns -$1, rather than $-1.
Refer to "Format Models" for information on number formats.
The 'nlsparam' argument specifies these characters that are returned by number format elements:
•Decimal character
•Group separator
•Local currency symbol
•International currency symbol
This argument can have this form:
'NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = ''dg''
NLS_CURRENCY = ''text''
NLS_ISO_CURRENCY = territory '
The characters d and g represent the decimal character and group separator, respectively. They must be different single-byte characters. Within the quoted string, you must use two single quotation marks around the parameter values. Ten characters are available for the currency symbol.
If you omit 'nlsparam' or any one of the parameters, then this function uses the default parameter values for your session.
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Those comments appy to the parameters when used with TO_NUMBER also.