varchar2 and NULL values

I'm looking for more detail on how null values are handled with varchar2 fields.

I "heard" that some databases actually store blank spaces with varchar fields that are null. But, that data may be compressed in the database so it leaves a small footprint, therefore you don't actually use the disk space.

I've had some difficulty working with large varchar2 fields that are null. Specifically, pulling the data out with other applications. The null varchar2 fields actually act as if they they contain a large quantity of data. If I then populate the null varchar2 fields with only 1 character, they seem to work fine. Received on Fri May 17 2002 - 14:40:13 CEST