Multiple choice technology databases

maximum limit of VARCHAR2 datatype in SQL & PLSQLRespectively

  1. 4000 / 4000

  2. 4000 / 32767

  3. 2000 / 4000

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

VARCHAR2 has different maximum sizes in SQL versus PL/SQL. In SQL (Oracle 12c+), VARCHAR2 max is 4000 bytes by default (up to 32767 with MAX_STRING_SIZE=EXTENDED). In PL/SQL, VARCHAR2 max is 32767 bytes. Option B reflects this 4000/32767 split.

AI explanation

In pure SQL, a VARCHAR2 column is limited to 4000 bytes because that's the maximum row-level storage Oracle allows for that type in table definitions. Inside PL/SQL, however, a VARCHAR2 variable isn't constrained by table storage limits and can hold up to 32767 bytes, since it's just an in-memory buffer. This distinction between the SQL-engine limit and the PL/SQL-engine limit is exactly what the question is testing.

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