VARCHAR/TEXT
text stores strings of any length while varchar(n) enforces a maximum length.
In this page:
Syntax
column_name varchar(n)
column_name textVARCHAR/TEXT
In PostgreSQL text and varchar without a length perform identically, and varchar(n) adds a length check that raises an error when exceeded. char(n) pads with spaces and is rarely useful.
String functions such as LENGTH, UPPER and || (concatenation) work on all three.
Note:
Use text unless you truly need a length limit.
Example: VARCHAR/TEXT
CREATE TABLE tags (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, code VARCHAR(5), note TEXT);
INSERT INTO tags VALUES (1, 'a1', 'A short note'), (2, 'zz', 'Another, somewhat longer note');
SELECT code, LENGTH(note) AS note_length, UPPER(note) AS shout FROM tags;
SELECT code || ': ' || note AS combined FROM tags;
-- Output:
-- code | note_length | shout
-- a1 | 12 | A SHORT NOTE
-- zz | 29 | ANOTHER, SOMEWHAT LONGER NOTE
-- combined
-- a1: A short note
-- zz: Another, somewhat longer noteLogin to try C/C++/Java/PHP code in the editor
Related Topics
Common Mistakes
- Using char(n) for variable text
- Assuming varchar(n) is faster than text
- Forgetting || is concatenation
Chapter Summary
- text has no length limit
- varchar(n) enforces a maximum
- char(n) pads with spaces
- || concatenates strings
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