fixed-width field

noun

UK /fɪkst wɪdθ fiːld/

US /fɪkst wɪdθ fiːld/

A fixed-width field is a spot in a computer file that always takes up the same amount of space.

The program reads each fixed-width field by counting exactly ten characters.

SYNONYMS

fixed-length field constant-length field fixed-size field static-width field

RELATED WORDS

record data file character position delimiter parsing

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A column in a text file where every entry has the same number of characters.

The names are stored in a fixed-width field so the columns line up neatly.

3. A data slot in a database or form that cannot grow or shrink.

Each fixed-width field in the old payroll system holds exactly eight digits.

4. A formatting rule that pads shorter values with spaces to reach a set length.

The export adds trailing spaces to fill the fixed-width field.