Database Writer node (MySQL) - using Float or Double instead of Decimal type for numeric (double) columns as default?

KNIME Analytics Platform
1

Hi,

is it possible to make Database Writer node to use Float or Double as default MySQL column type for columns which are of DoubleType in Knime? Currently they are written by default as Decimal, which causes some issues later in my workflow, e.g. Decimal type is automatically interpreted as "currency" by some other software. I am writing lots of this kind of tables, and the columns are changing often, so it would be nice to be able to select a MySQL float type by default.

BR, Julius 

2

Hi Julius,

thanks for the comment. We are working on a new Table creator node where we will try to incorporate this functionality.

Bye,

Tobias

3

Precision is the main difference where double is a double precision (64 bit) floating point data type and decimal is a 128-bit floating point data type.

Double - 64 bit (15-16 digits)
Decimal - 128 bit (28-29 significant digits)

So Decimals have much higher precision and are usually used within monetary (financial) applications that require a high degree of accuracy. But in performance wise Decimals are slower than double and float types. Double Types are probably the most normally used data type for real values, except handling money. More about....Decimal vs Double vs Float

Johnson