variable length
Refers to anything whose length can vary. For example, in databases, a variable-length field is a field that does not have a fixed length. Instead, the field length varies depending on what data is stored in it.
Variable-length fields are useful because they save space. Suppose, for example, that you want to define a NAME field. The length of each NAME field will vary according to the data placed in it. For example, John Smith is 10 characters long, but Thomas Horatio Jefferson is 24 characters long. With fixed-length fields, you would need to define each field to be long enough to hold the longest name. This would be a waste of space for records that had short names. With variable-length fields, the NAME field in each record would be just long enough to hold its data.
The opposite of variable length is fixed length.
-
1
enterprise application
An enterprise application is the term used to describe applications -- or software -- that a business would use to assist the organization in...
-
2
open source
Generically, open source refers to a program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its...
-
-
3
CPU - Central Processing Unit
Definition: CPU is the abbreviation for central processing unit. The CPU is the brains of the computer where most calculations take place.
-
4
mobile operating system
An operating system for mobile devices.
-
5
Facebook
The name of a social networking site (SNS) that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them.
-
6
ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning
Short for enterprise resource planning, ERP is business management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications...
-
7
RSA Secure ID
RSA SecurID ( “SecurID”) is a two-factor authentication technology that is used to protect network resources.
-
8
ecommerce remarketing
In email and online marketing, remarketing or ecommerce remarketing refers to the techniques, strategies and often the automated email...
-
9
Wi-Fi
A popular wireless networking technology that provides high-speed Internet and network connections.
-
10
RAM
Pronounced ramm, acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be...
-
11
biometrics
The study of measurable biological characteristics. In computer security, biometrics refers to authentication techniques that rely on physical...
Connect with Webopedia
-
-
Cloud Computing White Papers and Resources for Small Businesses
Keeping track of cloud computing trends, research and statistics gives small businesses knowledge and a solid foundation to get the most value...
