Empty space at the end of SQL Server query results

Question

I just installed Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 to test with LINQ to SQL.

I have a table with one column of type nchar(20) and two rows: '123' and 'Test'.

If I query all the rows from that table and wrap each value with "'" I get the following:

'123 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ' ( _ is a space)

'Test _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ' ( _ is a space)

SQL Server seems to be filling the unused space (because the column is a 20 byte nchar) with spaces.

What can I do to prevent this from happening?

Just to add that it is a 40 byte nchar not 20 as in your question. Unicode datatypes take double the space. — Martin Smith
– Martin Smith, Commented Aug 6, 2010 at 22:18

bobs · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-06 21:55:39Z

18

Use nvarchar instead of nchar. nchar is a fixed width field that is filled with spaces, as you're seeing.

answered Aug 6, 2010 at 21:55

bobs

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Comments

sgriffinusa · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-06 21:54:37Z

2

Change the column type to nvarchar.

answered Aug 6, 2010 at 21:54

sgriffinusa

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Andrey · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-06 21:55:09Z

1

you need nvarchar, it is flexible.

answered Aug 6, 2010 at 21:55

Andrey

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