Alteryx Foundation Micro-Credential Practice Exam

What are the two types of string datatypes?

1. Char and Text

2. Variable and Fixed

3. VarChar and Text

4. String and Char

The correct answer is: Char and Text

In the context of string data types, the correct understanding revolves around the specific types that databases typically use to handle string data. One of the fundamental categorizations of string types is based on their length and storage characteristics. Char, short for 'character', is a fixed-length data type that reserves a specified number of characters for each entry, regardless of the actual number of characters used. This means if you define a Char(10), it will always consume space for 10 characters, padding with spaces if necessary. Text, on the other hand, refers to a data type that can hold variable-length strings, accommodating an extensive range of characters without a predefined limit. This type is particularly useful for handling large text entries, such as descriptions or comments, where the length can vary significantly. The other options, while they may contain terms related to string handling, do not correctly represent the standard types recognized in common database systems. For instance, "Variable and Fixed" is a more abstract categorization without specifying the exact names of data types used in practice. "VarChar and Text" is a close consideration, but VarChar (variable character) is typically contrasted with Char, not Text. "String and Char" mixes a more general term (string)