Re: Why are data types size limited?

The simple truth is that strings - or any other field - *can* be variable length if you use a field delimiting character. This is the basis of the Pick (and Pick-like) variable-field database system and you can use SQL with most of those.

So, your answer is: you can use variable field sizes in SQL, but most database implementations (such as Oracle, MySQL etc.) won't allow you to do it.

[much snipping about using non-sized strings]

-- 
Mark A Preston BSc, FIAP
The Magpie's Nest
mark_at_mpreston.demon.co.uk