The name of a domain created in a CREATE DOMAIN statement. SQL gives the column the data type specified in the domain. For more information on domains, see the CREATE DOMAIN. statement. For most purposes, specify a domain instead of an explicit data type. o Domains ensure that columns in multiple tables that serve the same purpose all have the same data type. For example, several tables in the sample personnel database refer to the domain ID_DOM. o A domain lets you change the data type for all the columns that refer to it in one operation by changing the domain itself with an ALTER DOMAIN statement. For example, if you want to change the data type for the column EMPLOYEE_ID from CHAR(5) to CHAR(6), you need only alter the data type for ID_ DOM. You do not have to alter the data type for the column EMPLOYEE_ID in the tables DEGREES, EMPLOYEES, JOB_HISTORY, and SALARY_HISTORY, nor do you have to alter the column MANAGER_ID in the DEPARTMENTS table. However, you might not want to use domains when you create tables if: o Your application must be compatible with the Oracle RDBMS language. o You are creating tables that do not need the advantages of domains.