Is it possible to find the longest string in a text column

[ben_g]

I want to run a query on my database that finds the longest string in a text column from all the rows in my database.

The reason being I want to change the column type from text to a fixed length char column but don't know how big to make it.

Am I right in thinking that changing the column type will speed up my querys and reduce the load on the server?

If so is char or varchar better?

Thanx for your help,

Ben.

[jmcneese]

SELECT MAX(field) FROM table;

[ben_g]

As max(column ) is not reporting my biggest string in my PostContent text column

[jayant]

Originally posted by jmcneese
SELECT MAX(field) FROM table;

Unforunately this wont give string of maximum length.

you have to select *, get them in an array, traverse the whole array for string of max length.

[jmcneese]

SELECT MAX(CAST(column AS UNSIGNED)) FROM table?

[Begby]

I don't know what DB you are using, but in MySQL its like this

SELECT MAX(length(field)) FROM table

[Lars_Berg]

select max(char_length(c)) as maxStringLength from ogrish

[ben_g]

Thanx max(length(column)) worked great