> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.pranaypourkar.co.in/the-programmers-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.pranaypourkar.co.in/the-programmers-guide/database/sql-databases/sql-fundamentals/sql-data-types/character-types.md). # Character Types ## About **Character data types** are used to store **textual data**, such as names, addresses, and descriptions. SQL provides standard character types that most relational databases support, with slight variations. There are two main categories: 1. **Fixed-length** character types 2. **Variable-length** character types ## 1. **CHAR(n)** * Stores **fixed-length** character strings. * Always occupies `n` characters, **padding with spaces** if input is shorter. * Use when all values are known to have the same length (e.g., status codes, country codes). **Example:**\ `CHAR(5)` will store `'abc'` as `'abc '` (with two spaces). ## 2. **VARCHAR(n)** or **CHARACTER VARYING(n)** * Stores **variable-length** character strings. * Maximum length is `n`, but only uses as much space as needed. * More efficient for storing strings of varying length. **Example:**\ `VARCHAR(10)` can store `'abc'` using 3 characters instead of 10. ## 3. **TEXT** (non-standard, vendor-specific) * Stores large text data (longer than `VARCHAR(n)` limits). * Not part of standard SQL but supported by many databases. ## Vendor Support Overview
DatabaseCHARVARCHARTEXT SupportNotes
OracleYesYesNo TEXT; use CLOBOracle uses CLOB for large character data. VARCHAR2 is preferred.
MySQLYesYesYesSupports TINYTEXT, TEXT, MEDIUMTEXT, LONGTEXT.
PostgreSQLYesYesYesTEXT has no length limit and behaves like unlimited VARCHAR.
SQL ServerYesYesYes (TEXT deprecated)Use VARCHAR(MAX) instead of TEXT.
SQLiteYesYesYesVery flexible typing; TEXT used commonly.
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