fixed length field

A constant field size; for example, a 25-byte name field takes up 25 bytes in each record. It is easier to program, but wastes disk space and restricts file design. Description and comment fields are always a dilemma. Short fields allow only abbreviated remarks, while long fields waste space if lengthy comments are not required in every record. Contrast with variable length field.

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References in periodicals archive

Allowing fixed length fields to be created and analyzed independently of variable length fields becomes increasingly important as network speeds increase.

DAFS And NISv4 Could Become Semantically Identical

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