quick question: varchar(SIZE)

Quick Question: does the size of a varchar alter performance or storage requirement at all?
Example:
... If I have "apples" as the value.
... If the field is defined as varchar(255) or varchar(100)
... won't both definitions use the same amount of storage space?
My understanding: Doesn't the varchar size simply limit the length of the data allowed to be stored?

Thank you
Dan Baker

Hi Dan,

MySQL handles the varchar the same nomatter what the size. The only performance difference is caused by the extra time needed to read additional characters from the storage space.

Hope this helps...
PcCowboy

Hi Dan,

One more thing, MySQL allocates the number of characters that you specify. The storage area will only be read to the end of the string. So, varchar(200) and varchar(100) will allocate different amounts of storage space. It will however, require the same ammount of time to read 'apple' from storage defined as varchar(100) or varchar(200).

PcCowboy