VARCHAR - Physical storage question

From: Ben Heuer <queerczarNOquSPAM_at_unforgettable.com.invalid>
Date: 2000/07/29
Message-ID: <03f9fd17.f5890caa@usw-ex0104-031.remarq.com>#1/1

Hello

I'd like to know how the VARCHAR handles the data? I understand that it allocates only the amount of space that the column actually contains? But what if the column content is modified?

For instance, lets say I have

USER_NAME VARCHAR2(20) Now, I do an insert:

INSERT INTO TABLE VALUES ('BEN HEUER') This is just 9 characters. I undrstand that physically only 9 chars will be allocated?

Now, lets say I update this field to BEN_HEUER_1234. How does the varchar physically allocate space for it, because there must be records after the original record as well...is a separate space created for it and these two are related based on something?

Thanks!

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http://www.keen.com Received on Sat Jul 29 2000 - 00:00:00 CDT