fixed-length field
nounUK /fɪkst lɛŋθ fiːld/
US /fɪkst lɛŋθ fiːld/
A fixed-length field is a spot in a computer file that always holds the same number of letters or numbers.
The date is stored in a fixed-length field of eight characters, like 20240101.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A data slot in a form or table that cannot grow or shrink in size.
Each name goes into a fixed-length field of twenty spaces.
3. A storage position in a file where every entry takes up exactly the same amount of room.
Because it is a fixed-length field, the computer can jump straight to the right record.
4. A column in a flat file where all values are padded to the same width.
The zip code sits in a fixed-length field padded with spaces.