Size of varchar columns

Question

In sql server does it make a difference if I define a varchar column to be of length 32 or 128?

Solution 1

There should be no noticeable difference as the backend will only store the amount of data you insert into that column. It's not padded out to the full size of the field like it is with a char column.

Edit: For more info, this link should be useful.

Solution 2

It should not. It just defines the maximum length it can accommodate, the actual used length depends on the data inserted.