What does the CHAR data type store?

The CHAR data type is specifically designed to store character data in a fixed-length field. This means that regardless of the actual number of characters being stored, space is allocated for the maximum length defined for that field, resulting in consistency in data storage. For example, if a CHAR field is defined to hold 10 characters, it will always occupy 10 bytes, even if fewer characters are entered; the remaining space will typically be padded with spaces.

This is particularly useful for situations where the data being stored is expected to be of a consistent length, such as codes or fixed-format strings. The choice of the CHAR data type ensures that uniformity is maintained, which can enhance performance in terms of access speed when reading from the database.

In contrast, other data types mentioned, such as integers or floating-point numbers, relate to numerical values, while encrypted data can be stored in various formats depending on the encryption method, but generally wouldn’t use a CHAR type as it is primarily intended for unencrypted textual content. Thus, selecting the CHAR data type effectively communicates that the data stored will be text-based and of a defined length.