BUG: Cannot Specify Length of User-Defined Data Type When Based on Float (277703)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 7.0
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (all editions)
This article was previously published under Q277703
BUG #: 58545 (SQLBUG_70)
BUG #: 236768 (SHILOH)

SYMPTOMS

SQL Server Books Online states that you can create a user-defined data type based on the float(n) data type by using sp_addtype. However, if you run the following code on SQL Server 2000: 
exec sp_addtype fails, 'float(20)'
you receive the following error message:
Server: Msg 15088, Level 16, State 1, Procedure sp_addtype, Line 293
The physical data type is fixed length. You cannot specify the length.
If you run the code against SQL Server 7.0, the error message states Line 274.

WORKAROUND

Use decimal[(p[, s])] or float without specifying a number for the mantissa.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server 7.0.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server 2000.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/16/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbpending KB277703
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