sql-server

sql server data fields nvchar(x) or nvarchar(max)

Is it good practice to set all text fields to nvarchar(MAX)? if im not sure what the size of the field will be

will it take up extra space

Solution

  • varchar(max) won't take extra space.

    One dangerous thing about varchar(max) is that someone can potentially but a huge amount of data in it. This can hurt if a malicious user. or faulty program, enters a 1MB address line. No client or web application will expect that, and it might cause them to crash.

    So, as a best practice, create varchar fields with a specified maximum length.