[SOLVED] can anyone give me examples of when its better to use varchar or char

[jonaofarc]

I understand that char is faster but fixed lenght variable and var char is variable lenght but those that mean that char always has to be fixed say 10 charactors and can never be more or less

 

can anyone give me examples of when its better to use varchar or char

[rhodesa]

you basically said it....

VARCHAR -> Don't know the length of the input (99% of the time it will be this)

CHAR -> Set length...like a US state abbreviation: NY

[jonaofarc]

thanks rhodes

[fenway]

FYI, it also depends on charset and if you ever sort on these columns, too.