Re: Size of varchar

Tom Grenier wrote in message <361AA3C7.9D87A721@biztravel.com>... >If I have a varchar that the developers are not sure how large it will >be -- they guess 50-100 chars but may grow later -- and is not going to >be indexed -- is there any reason *not* to create it as a varchar(255)? >From all I can read there is no more overhead or space taken with a >varchar(255) where all data are less then 100 chars than defining it as >a varchar(100). > >Am I overlooking something? > >TIA, >Tom Grenier >DBA, Biztravel.com A larger varchar will use more memory internally and in applications. There may be some extra overhead on the CPU during some applications. You could set it to a larger value then you need now and alter it later. Many newer versions on Informix won't even rebuild your table when you increase it. S.W. wilcoxon@pioneerplanet.infi.net