BYTE vs. CHAR in Oracle: When Should I Use Each Datatype?

The difference between Byte and Char data types in Oracle database

In the Oracle database, the data type column can significantly affect its storage demand and performance. When designing a database table, it is very important to understand the difference between Byte and Char.

Byte and Char's comparison

byte data type is specified as the maximum number of bytes distributed in a column. In concentration of single -byte characters like ASCII, each character occupies a byte, and the behavior of Byte and Char is similar. However, in multi-byte characters like UTF-8, a single character can span multiple bytes.

The influence of byte

Use Varchar2 (11 byte) Statement columns indicate that Oracle can flexibly store the character for up to 11 bytes. It should be noted that if your data contains characters occupying multiple bytes, it may accommodate less characters within the limit of 11 bytes. This may lead to potential truncation. Char's advantages

On the other hand, Varchar2 (11 CHAR) clearly indicates that Oracle allocates enough space for 11 characters, regardless of their byte requirements. This method ensures that you can accommodate characters that occupy multiple bytes without risk of losing data. Each character guarantees that there is enough space, even if the character set allows it to occupy less bytes.

Actual application

When the data storage efficiency is the main focus, Byte may be a suitable option because it allows the best space. However, if data integrity is crucial, Char can better ensure that all characters can be accurately stored, regardless of their encoding requirements.

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