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Re: Clarification on the (lack of) differences between the decimal, dec, and numeric types - Mailing list pgsql-docs

From David G. Johnston
Subject Re: Clarification on the (lack of) differences between the decimal, dec, and numeric types
Date
Msg-id CAKFQuwbszf7Z3CpTM2y3Z3XqX3VV90XR8ZD_DFnXv4O+TDwjUw@mail.gmail.com
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In response to Clarification on the (lack of) differences between the decimal, dec, and numeric types  (PG Doc comments form <noreply@postgresql.org>)
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On Thursday, February 12, 2026, PG Doc comments form <noreply@postgresql.org> wrote:

I suggest changing the wording of the page to read "decimal is an alias of
the type numeric. Both reference the same underlying type."

I agree with the premise but would likely use a bit different wording and also tweak the table at the top of the page.  I’m disliking the idea of calling something a data type if it doesn’t appear in pg_type; syntax aliases should be called out for what they are.  A nearby complaint regarding nchar, which is also an alias but isn’t mentioned, informs this.  I do wonder what other “data type” aliases should be considered.

David J.

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