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Fixed-format data files with numeric fields load incorrectly into the database - advisory

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Abstract

An issue has been noticed where fixed-format data files that contain numeric fields might be loaded incorrectly into the database.

Content

Impact
  • This issue was introduced starting in NPS 11.2.0.0 with the introduction of 64-bit host software
  • Data that is loaded from delimited or internal formats is unaffected by this issue.
  • Data that is loaded without numeric fields is unaffected by this issue since parsing of the numeric fields themselves causes the other fields to be incorrectly loaded.
  • The issue can be difficult to notice, since the data might appear valid, for example an affected date field might be loaded as a different valid date.
  • Queries that are run against tables loaded with this issue might exhibit wrong results.
Identification
Fixed-format data files are loaded by using external tables with the option "format 'Fixed'" or with nzload by passing the argument "-format fixed".
To determine whether fixed-format data files were used (and where and how they were used), query the query history database with:
select * from "$v_hist_queries" where upper (query) like '%FORMAT%FIXED%LAYOUT%';
Remediation 
Fixed in 11.2.1.5 and 11.2.2.3 (to be released end of May).
It is recommended to reload any affected tables after you upgrade to these releases. 

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Product Synonym

NPS;Netezza

Document Information

Modified date:
30 May 2022

UID

ibm16583457