Which of the following data types would be most appropriate to store a user's middle initial in a financial accounting database?

• A. VARCHAR(50)
• B. CHAR(1)
• C. INTEGER
• D. DATE

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: In a financial accounting database, the goal is to store a user's middle initial, which is a single character. This requires selecting a data type that efficiently stores one character.
2. Review the options: Analyze the given data types—VARCHAR(50), CHAR(1), INTEGER, and DATE—to determine their suitability for storing a single character.
3. Evaluate VARCHAR(50): VARCHAR is used for variable-length strings, and VARCHAR(50) can store up to 50 characters. While it can store a single character, it is not the most efficient choice for storing a fixed-length value like a middle initial.
4. Evaluate CHAR(1): CHAR is used for fixed-length strings, and CHAR(1) is specifically designed to store exactly one character. This makes it the most appropriate choice for storing a middle initial efficiently.
5. Evaluate INTEGER and DATE: INTEGER is used for numeric values, and DATE is used for date values. Neither is suitable for storing a single character like a middle initial, as they are designed for entirely different types of data.