The VARCHAR controversy

Posted by Double Compile. Tuesday, September 1. 2009, 05:32 PM in Databases

Today's exchange originated from a short-lived discussion on Twitter.  Everyone familiar with the acronym VARCHAR? It's short for variable character, which is a SQL data type.

Since it's short for variable character, one would think the correct pronunciation is /ˈvær.ˈkʰæɹ/.  (For those of you who don't read IPA, that's var—rhymes with bare—and char—also rhymes with bare).

It drives me up a wall when I hear someone pronounce it like it rhymes with "Far Car", or worse still, soften the "Ch" like in Charbroiled.

Anyway, these are my favorite tweets in regards to the matter:

  • @RealBigDannyT: VARCHAR STARE!!!
  • @rizza: I, too, char varry much about how people pronounce this.

Now, don't even get me started on how you should pronounce "SQL".

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*But var-car sounds better!
#1 Rob Speed on 2009-09-01 21:38 (Reply)
*I like the proper pronunciation more because I get a mental image of Care Bears programming every time I say it.
#1.1 Rob Zienert (Homepage) on 2009-09-01 23:50 (Reply)

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