Oracle has varchar and varchar2 both ...
<tfm>
The VARCHAR2 subtypes below have the same range of values as their base type. For
example, VARCHAR is just another name for VARCHAR2.
STRING
VARCHAR
You can use these subtypes for compatibility with ANSI/ISO and IBM types.
Note: Currently, VARCHAR is synonymous with VARCHAR2. However, in future releases of
PL/SQL, to accommodate emerging SQL standards, VARCHAR might become a separate
datatype with different comparison semantics. So, it is a good idea to use VARCHAR2
rather than VARCHAR.
</tfm>
http://download-west.oracle.com/docs/cd/B10501_01/appdev.920/a96624/03_types.htm#10824
HTH
Raj
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rajendra dot Jamadagni at nospamespn dot com
All Views expressed in this email are strictly personal.
QOTD: Any clod can have facts, having an opinion is an art !
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2003 1:55 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
DW> If your application is COBOL-based, using CHAR
DW> simplifies things quite a bit.
True enough. I'd forgotten about COBOL. The semantics of
COBOL's PIC X fields match up pretty closely (exactly?) to
SQL CHAR fields.
DW> My understanding is that VARCHAR2 is not even a SQL standard
The keyword VARCHAR2 is not in the standard, but a
variable-length type is. I think the standard uses CHARACTER
VARYING, or something like that. I don't have time to look
it up right now.
DB2 uses VARCHAR, without the "2". I'm not sure why Oracle
is so outspoken against that same keyword. I'd be interested
in finding out.
Best regards,
Jonathan Gennick --- Brighten the corner where you are
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