Re:Varchar2....is this Dilbert or what?????

From: <dgoulet_at_vicr.com>
Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 09:31:56 -0400
Message-Id: <10493.105330@fatcity.com>

Christine,

    OK, now that the other knee jerk reactions have occurred, mine included. Is this a Dilbert, you had better believe it. One of the premises of data design is to create tables where at least one complete record will reside in each data block without chaining. Part of that is selecting the data types and sizes that are appriopriate. In our case we have a column used all over our databases called "model_number". It's defined as a varchar2(20). Why?? Because our legacy system ManMan defines an Item Number as a char(20) and Peoplesoft follows a similar path. Would it be useful to have it as a varchar2(255)?? Not on your life, actually that would cause a major problem when we try to move data between systems (can you imagine trying to match a part_number varchar2(20) [Peoplesoft definition] with a model_number varchar2(255) that is actually using 30 characters due to Dilbert's boss)??? This would be nightmare city.

    Actually, it would probably be a good idea to start a "Pearl Harbor File" on this, especially if the boss gets insistent. At least when things cease functioning correctly or database performance drops due to excessive chaining you've got some backup as to why they should can your boss vs. you.

Dick Goulet
Senior Oracle DBA
Vicor Corporation

____________________Reply Separator____________________

Subject: Varchar2....is this Dilbert or what????? Author: Christine Turner <christine.turner_at_ips-sendero.com> Date: 5/9/00 2:04 PM

Ok, forgive me if I offend anyone....but the head honchos came and asked what the ramifications would be if we were to make every, yes EVERY varchar2 column in new database the length of 255. The reasoning behind this is...."to keep maintenace down in the future, so we don't have to change the database every time when need a column resized". I'm fairly new to being a database administrator (going on a year), but I have been working in Oracle for about 6 years and quite frankly this sounds totally obsurd! Anyone have any comments??? Pro's, Con's????

Thanks In Advance,
Christine Turner
FTP Database Administrator
IPS Sendero
Phone: (800) 321-6899 ext. 3286
Fax: (480) 946-8224
E-mail: christine.turner_at_ips-sendero.com

-- 
Author: Christine Turner
  INET: christine.turner_at_ips-sendero.com

Fat City Network Services    -- (858) 538-5051  FAX: (858) 538-5051
San Diego, California        -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists
--------------------------------------------------------------------
To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message
to: ListGuru_at_fatcity.com (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in
the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L
(or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from).  You may
also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).

Received on Wed May 10 2000 - 08:31:56 CDT