What are NCHAR and NATIONAL CHAR?
NCHAR and NATIONAL CHAR are both character data types used in databases. These data types are typically used to store fixed-length character strings.
NCHAR:
NCHAR is a data type commonly used in databases, especially in SQL-based systems. It is a fixed-length character type, which means that every value stored in an NCHAR column will have the same length, regardless of the actual length of the string. This fixed-length property allows for efficient storage and retrieval of data.
One key aspect of NCHAR is that it is based on the Unicode character set, which supports a wide range of characters from various writing systems around the world. This makes NCHAR suitable for storing multilingual data and ensures proper handling of characters from different languages.
NATIONAL CHAR:
NATIONAL CHAR is a SQL standard-compliant alternative to the NCHAR data type. It serves the same purpose as NCHAR, storing fixed-length character strings. The term “NATIONAL” in its name represents its support for Unicode character set, similar to NCHAR.
The main difference between NCHAR and NATIONAL CHAR lies in their origins. NCHAR is originally from Oracle, while NATIONAL CHAR is a SQL standard-compliant version that is supported by various database systems, including Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL.
Differences between NCHAR and NATIONAL CHAR:
– Support: NCHAR is specific to Oracle, while NATIONAL CHAR is a widely supported SQL standard-compliant data type.
– Syntax: NCHAR is generally used in Oracle systems, while NATIONAL CHAR is more commonly used in cross-platform and SQL standard-compliant database applications.
– Compatibility: NATIONAL CHAR offers better compatibility across different database systems, making it a preferred choice for applications that need to be portable across multiple platforms.
It’s important to note that when using NCHAR or NATIONAL CHAR, the storage space allocated is fixed regardless of the actual length of the string being stored. Therefore, if the length of the strings stored in these columns varies significantly, it might lead to wasted storage space.
In summary, NCHAR and NATIONAL CHAR are data types used for storing fixed-length character strings in databases. NCHAR originated in Oracle and is widely used in Oracle systems, while NATIONAL CHAR is a SQL standard-compliant alternative supported by multiple database systems. Both types support the Unicode character set, making them suitable for storing multilingual data.
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