The TEXT data type

The TEXT data type stores any text data. TEXT columns typically store memos, manual chapters, business documents, program source files, and other types of textual information.

The following list summarizes how the choice of a locale affects the TEXT data type:
  • The database server stores character data in a TEXT column in the code set of the database locale.
  • You can enter single-byte or multibyte characters in a TEXT column.

    The database locale supports the characters that you want to store in TEXT columns. However, you can put any type of character in a TEXT column.

  • TEXT columns do not have an associated collation order.

    The database server does not build indexes on TEXT columns. Therefore, it does not perform collation tasks on these columns.

  • Within a client application, always manipulate TEXT data in the CLIENT_LOCALE of the client application.

    The client application performs code-set conversion of TEXT data automatically if CLIENT_LOCALE differs from DB_LOCALE.