oracle varchar to number

Question

How do i convert a oracle varchar value to number

eg

table - exception exception_value 555 where exception_value is a varchar type 

I would like to test the value of exception_value column

select * from exception where exception_value = 105 instead of select * from exception where exception_value = '105' 

Answer 1

You have to use the TO_NUMBER function:

select * from exception where exception_value = to_number('105') 

Answer 2

Since the column is of type VARCHAR, you should convert the input parameter to a string rather than converting the column value to a number:

select * from exception where exception_value = to_char(105);