From the Microsoft documentation concerning T-SQL / SQL Server:
Precision is the number of digits in a number. Scale is the number of digits to the right of the decimal point in a number. For example, the number 123.45 has a precision of 5 and a scale of 2.
To the naive non-expert (=me) this is always a bit confusing. I would have expected it the other way round.
- How does the total number of digits relate to the everyday concept of precision (how 'exact' something is measured)?
- How can I think of the number of decimals in terms of scale (how 'big' something is)?
Just to be clear: This is not a rant disguised as a question, and more than mere curiosity. I am convinced that there is a good reason for this terminology, and I think I can learn about databases by understanding the underlying thinking here. (If this question is considered too basic for here, I understand.)