Why specify the char length in varchar?

[mdsawyer58]

Newbie question:

Why bother specifing the length in varchar()?
Why not just specify the max and not worry about truncation?

Thanks,

Martin

[mmwops]

That's what varchar is all about. Just specify the max allowable number of chars and don't worry about actual size.

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mdsawyer58 at 2/6/2002 11:19:07 AM


Newbie question:

Why bother specifing the length in varchar()?
Why not just specify the max and not worry about truncation?

Thanks,

Martin

[mdsawyer58]

Guess I should have been more specific. Why not just
specify varchar(255) for all strings vice saying, for example:
first_name varchar(20), last_name varchar(30), etc...? This
way if you enter a name that is longer than allowed it gets
truncated, however, if you specify varchar(255) for all, the
name gets preserved, unless it is longer than 255. I don't
see any overhead associated with declaring everything
varchar(255). I feel I must be missing the point. Or is this
just one of those philosophical questions?

Martin


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mmwops at 2/7/2002 3:50:30 AM


That's what varchar is all about. Just specify the max allowable number of chars and don't worry about actual size.

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mdsawyer58 at 2/6/2002 11:19:07 AM


Newbie question:

Why bother specifing the length in varchar()?
Why not just specify the max and not worry about truncation?

Thanks,

Martin