Binary strings

Binary strings are not associated with any CCSID. The supported binary string data types are BINARY and VARBINARY (BINARY VARYING).

The following subtypes of binary strings are supported:

Fixed-length binary strings

The type of fixed-length binary strings is BINARY. When fixed-length binary string distinct types, columns, and variables are defined, the length attribute is specified, and all values have the same length. For a fixed-length binary string, the length attribute must be between 1 and 32704 inclusive.

Varying-length binary strings

All values of varying-length string columns have the same maximum length, which is determined by the length attribute.

The varying-length binary string is VARBINARY (BINARY VARYING).

When varying-length binary strings, distinct types, columns, and variables are defined, the maximum length is specified and this length becomes the length attribute. Actual length values might have a smaller value than the length attribute value. For varying-length binary strings, the actual length specifies the number of bytes in the string.

For a VARBINARY string, the length attribute must be between 1 and 32704. Like a varying-length character string, varying-length binary string could be an empty string.

A binary string column is useful for storing non-character data, such as encoded or compressed data, pictures, voice, and mixed media. Another use is to hold structured data for exploitation by distinct types, user-defined functions, and stored procedures.