Hi, and I to am sorry I missed the conf. I was planning to make heavy use of varchar in my migration, but your comments make me wonder if I should steer more toward note. I doubt if comments will ever be over 4000 char. and I would like to be able to search on all columns, but that too is not a show stopper. Any other reasons for one over the other (you didn't mention the overhead for varchar).
On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 8:16 AM, A. Razzak Memon <[email protected]> wrote: > At 10:51 AM 10/12/2011, Dan Goldberg wrote: > > I am looking for your opinion on data types. >> >> Are note data type columns the best to use for long text fields? >> >> I have used them in the past but now there are other data types >> that might be better to use. >> > > Dan, > > A few suggestions: > > 01. If you know the range of your text (1 - 1500), and there is no > plan to expand, use TEXT (value) data type. > > 02. If going beyond 1,500 and not exceeding 4,092 characters, use > NOTE fields. > > 03. If going beyond 4,092 characters and having the flexibility of > variable characters and formatted text data, use VARCHAR data > type. > > Notes and Tips: > > TEXT Data Type: > - Holds alphanumeric data > - The default length is eight characters; the maximum is 1,500 characters > - Unlike NOTE columns, you set the maximum length of a TEXT column > - R:BASE reserves a minimum of four bytes of internal storage space > - Indexes and constraints are allowed on TEXT data types > > NOTE Data Type: > - Holds variable length text of up to 4,092 characters > - NOTE data type columns cannot be used in an expression > - The actual length of each NOTE entry is determined by the data contained > in the column; you do not set a length > - R:BASE reserves a minimum of four bytes of internal storage space > - The NOTE data type now supports a size (n). The NOTE data type will > truncate at (n) characters and give a warning > - Indexes and constraints are allowed on NOTE data types > - No length is needed > > VARCHAR Data Type: > - Holds alphanumeric data > - No length is needed > > Also, refer to R:BASE in-line Help for String Manipulation Functions > and restrictions, if any. > > Hope that helps! > > Very Best R:egards, > > Razzak. > > -- William Stacy, O.D. Please visit my website by clicking on : http://www.folsomeye.net
