Hi!
Just for the record, every column in a table has a length byte (or three,
depending on column size). This works so even in clusters, where rows are
split vertically, but column structures remain the same.
Tanel.
- Original Message -----
To: "Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L" <ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 7:04 PM
> I have believed for a while that a varchar2(1) would have included a
'length byte', making it more wasteful of storage than a char(1) but in fact
the two are strictly identical storage-wise :
>
> SQL> create table t(c1 char(1),
> 2 c2 varchar2(1));
>
> Table created.
>
> SQL> insert into t values('A', 'B');
>
> 1 row created.
>
> SQL> select vsize(c1), dump(c1), vsize(c2), dump(c2)
> 2 from T;
>
> VSIZE(C1)
> ----------
> DUMP(C1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> VSIZE(C2)
> ----------
> DUMP(C2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 1
> Typ=96 Len=1: 65
> 1
> Typ=1 Len=1: 66
>
>
> SQL>
>
> That said, for the sake of logic I still prefer using CHAR instead of
VARCHAR when the length doesn't vary at all - call it autodocumentation.
VARCHAR2(1) columns - especially when NOT NULL - are unlikely to vary much
in length.
>
> SF
>
> >----- ------- Original Message ------- -----
> >From: "Stephane Paquette"
> ><stephane.paquette_at_standardlife.ca>
> >To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
> ><ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com>
> >Sent: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 08:04:27
> >
> >Hi,
> >
> >Some people here are telling me that using char(1)
> >is better than
> >varchar2(1) for a field code.
> >I do not see why.
> >
> >I never used char as it may cause problems when
> >doing some comparisons.
> >
> >Any reasons ?
> >
> >
> >Stephane Paquette
> >Administrateur de bases de donnees
> >Database Administrator
> >Standard Life
> >www.standardlife.ca
> >Tel. (514) 499-7999 7470 and (514) 925-7187
> >stephane.paquette_at_standardlife.ca
> ><mailto:stephane.paquette_at_standardlife.ca>
> >
> --
> Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
> --
> Author: Stephane Faroult
> INET: sfaroult_at_oriolecorp.com
>
> Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com
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--
Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
--
Author: Tanel Poder
INET: tanel.poder.003_at_mail.ee
Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com
San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services
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Received on Sun Nov 02 2003 - 17:44:32 CST
