RE: Why use variable length fields?

There is a fixed part that is stored in the database record and a variable
part that is stored in a file extension space.  If most of your records use
a portion of the variable length field that is equal to or less than the
fixed length, the extension portion is not stored.  When the extension
portion is stored, it only occupies the needed space, not the maximum
length.  So, it saves space unless the variable length field is usually full
and it performs better (fewer page faults for a given number of database
records) if the actual field content fits into the fixed part.

Richard Jackson
mailto:richardjackson@richardjackson.net
www.richardjacksonltd.com
Voice: 1 (303) 808-8058
Fax:   1 (303) 663-4325

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-midrange-l@midrange.com
[mailto:owner-midrange-l@midrange.com]On Behalf Of Joe Giusto
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 11:59 AM
To: 'midrange-l@midrange.com'
Subject: Why use variable length fields?


I have seen some posts about variable length fields.  If they have to be
defined at their maximum length anyway, what is the advantage to using them.
Dose it really save space on the system?


Joe Giusto II
Patuxent Publishing Company
10750 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
mailto:JGiusto@patuxent.com <mailto:jgiusto@patuxent.com>
http://www.lifegoeson.com <http://lifegoeson.com>


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