Difference Between Varchar and Varchar2
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
Difference Between varchar and varchar2: Varchar stands for a character string of variable length. Varchar and Varchar2 are data types used in databases to hold character strings for specific columns (fields). ORACLE has reserved these. Use varchar2 in instead of varchar if empty string and NULL are interchangeable. because it considers empty strings and null strings equally. Despite the fact that both are now used for the same purpose, Oracle advised, “Do not utilise varchar datatype.” However, future usage of varchar might alter. Therefore, it is best to continue using varchar2. Here, we have provided the difference between varchar and varchar 2.
The main difference between varchar and varchar2 is that varchar can identify and distinguish between empty string and NULL while varchar2 is unable to recognise both independently. Let us check what is varchar, varchar2, and the difference between varchar and varchar2 in the upcoming sections.
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Difference Between Varchar and Varchar2
The primary difference between varchar and varchar2 is that VARCHAR is an ANSI Standard while VARCHAR2 is an Oracle Standard. The character values are stored using the varchar2 data type. Because it is a variable-length data type, we can alter the character variable’s size during execution. This is why it is sometimes known as a dynamic datatype. Let us check the difference between varchar and varchar2 given in the table below.
Key Difference Between Varchar and Varchar2
| Varchar | Varchar2 |
|
Varchar may hold character data in increments of 1 to 2000 bytes. |
Varchar2 can store character data in increments of 1 to 4000 bytes. |
| No matter the input, allocate data of a fixed size. | Distribute data of varying sizes based on input. |
| Extra spaces are padded to the right side for varchar data. | Extra spaces in varchar2 will be truncated. |
| The ANSI SQL standard uses Varchar. | Oracle uses the Varchar2 standard. |
| Varchar’s definition might alter in the future. | The definition of Varchar2 won’t change. It is customary. |
| Varchar is a third-party datatype. | Varchar2 is a data type that is internal. |
What is Varchar Data Type?
The character values are stored using the VarChar data type. It is a variable-length data type, meaning that we can alter the character size as the code is being executed. This is why it is sometimes known as a dynamic datatype.
Both alphanumeric and regular characters can be stored there. The VarChar data type can store character strings up to 4000 bytes in length. Additionally, the memory stores one byte for every character.
To distinguish between Null and Empty Strings, we employ the ANSI Standard VARCHAR. However, VARCHAR and VARCHAR2 are same in Oracle.
What is Varchar2 Data Type?
In the Oracle database, Varchar2 is equivalent to Varchar. The primary difference between the two is that varchar is an ANSI Standard while varchar2 is an Oracle Standard. The character values are stored using the Varchar2 data type. Because it is a variable-length data type, we can alter the character variable’s size during execution. This is why it is sometimes known as a dynamic datatype.
Both alphanumeric and regular characters can be stored there. A character string with a maximum length of 4000 bytes can be stored using the varchar2 data type. Additionally, the memory stores one byte for every character. There won’t be any memory wastage because it is dynamic datatype.
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