Hi!
>> In case of varchar field values will appear in database sometimes with
>> trailing spaces and sometimes without.
>> This requires major application re-design which much is more expensive than
>> continuing using char fields.
>A simple BEFORE INSERT OR UPDATE trigger would take care of that.
Changing char to varchar will break commands where trailing space is used in comparison.
For example query
create table test ( test char(10) );
insert into test values ('test');
select * from test where test ='test '; -- note trailing space
does not return data anymore if your recommendation is used:
create table test ( test varchar );
insert into test values ('test');
select * from test where test ='test '; -- note trailing space
In production 'test ' is query parameter coming from application with possible trailing space(s).
Adding trigger does not fix this.
How to fix this without re-writing huge number of sql commands?
Andrus.