Picking the right string column datatype - CHAR vs VARCHAR vs TEXT

System Design for SDE-2 and above: https://arpitbhayani.me/masterclass System Design for Beginners: https://arpitbhayani.me/sys-design Redis Internals: https://arpitbhayani.me/redis Build Your Own Redis / DNS / BitTorrent / SQLite - with CodeCrafters. Sign up and get 40% off - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=arpitbbhayani In the video, I explained the different string data types in databases such as CHAR, VARCHAR, and TEXT. CHAR stores fixed-length strings, VARCHAR stores variable-length strings without padding, while TEXT allows storing strings of any length. I highlighted the trade-offs, use cases, and debunked misconceptions about these data types. I emphasized the importance of understanding database documentation for specifics, performance differences (negligible in modern databases), and considerations when choosing between VARCHAR, TEXT, and CHAR based on requirements like foreign key checks, quick index lookups, and maximum length constraints. # Recommended videos and playlists If you liked this video, you will find the following videos and playlists helpful System Design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7qLKfILuD8&list=PLsdq-3Z1EPT27BuTnJ_trF7BsaTpYLqst Designing Microservices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPj6mhVLQN0&list=PLsdq-3Z1EPT0ug8eizS71G6LZb6-4FAFt Database Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-htbah3eCYg&list=PLsdq-3Z1EPT2C-Da7Jscr7NptGcIZgQ2l&pp=gAQBiAQB Concurrency In-depth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PjlaUnrAMQ&list=PLsdq-3Z1EPT3VjDhjMb5yBsgn0wn2-fjp Research paper dissections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXhgFAZroG8&list=PLsdq-3Z1EPT2XEJ0AmF02LBK1RFNd-jK8 Outage Dissections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeT_s-UFw-U&list=PLsdq-3Z1EPT3_Z97svMs6S2y7tv1PcUmc Hash Table Internals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjW8w8ED3Ns&list=PLsdq-3Z1EPT2UnueESBLReaVSLIo_BuAc Bittorrent Internals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7cR0ZolaUA&list=PLsdq-3Z1EPT1rNeq2GXpnivaWINnOaCd0 # Things you will find amusing Knowledge Base: https://arpitbhayani.me/knowledge-base Bookshelf: https://arpitbhayani.me/bookshelf Papershelf: https://arpitbhayani.me/papershelf # Other socials I keep writing and sharing my practical experience and learnings every day, so if you resonate then follow along. I keep it no fluff. LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/arpitbhayani Twitter: https://twitter.com/arpit_bhayani Weekly Newsletter: https://arpit.substack.com Thank you for watching and supporting! it means a ton. I am on a mission to bring out the best engineering stories from around the world and make you all fall in love with engineering. If you resonate with this then follow along, I always keep it no-fluff.