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Should i normalize a column varchar (4) that will have only 8 possible values?

bugboy
160 New Member
At what point is normalizing worth forgetting?

I have a column varchar (4) that will repeat one of only eight possible values for each row. Is it really more efficient to break this out into it's own table and link it with keys than to just have it repeat? ... it's only 4 characters..

I suppose if there are only 8 values i could make the column a char (1).. would this be more efficient or am i just splitting hairs here?

Everywhere i read it tells you to normalize everything.. but not always.. i guess i'm just looking for general opinion from the pros.

Thanks!

BugBoy
Sep 25 '07 #1
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