Re: Pros and Cons of using Char and Varchar2

From: Brian Peasland <peasland_at_usgs.gov>
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2001 14:22:46 GMT
Message-ID: <3ACDD136.8C9158F0@usgs.gov>

> 1.-CHAR TYPE
> Char type should be used for fixed length data.
> Such as codes
> A100
> B102
> B104
> Cost: It uses more blocks in the space in tablespace
> Benefits: No problems about Chained Rows

This is mostly true. For the most part, you may not have to worry about chained rows like you will with the VARCHAR2 datatype. But if your row contains more data than will fit into one database block, then the RDBMS has no choice but to chain the rows. Using CHAR will not free you from this constraint.

HTH,
Brian

-- 
========================================
Brian Peasland
Raytheons Systems at
  USGS EROS Data Center
These opinions are my own and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of my 
company!
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Received on Fri Apr 06 2001 - 09:22:46 CDT