How To Represent varchar(max) in DBIx::Class

[phildeman]

I am using SQL Server, and I can't find any documentation on how to define the syntax that will address varchar(max).

For example:

__PACKAGE__->table( 'myTable' );

=head ACCESSORS

=head2 id

  data_type: 'integer'
  is_nullable: 0

=head2 title

  data_type: 'varchar'
  is_nullable: 0
  size: 200

=head2 Description

  data_type: 'varchar'
  is_nullable: 1
  size: max

=cut

__PACKAGE__->add_columns(
"id"
{ data_type => "integer", is_nullable => 0 }
"title"
{ data_type => "varchar", is_nullable => 0, size => 200 }
"Description"
{ data_type => "varchar", is_nullable => 1, size => max }
);
__PACKAGE__->set_primary_key("id");

I get the following error when attempting to run perl -wc app.pm:

Bareword "max" not allowed while "strict subs" in use at mydbapp.pm

I attempted to use dbcidump to build the database package, but ran into difficulties with SQL Server.
So, I build the package myself, based previous DBIx::Class database packages for SQL Server.

Is there any one with experience on this issue that can guide me. Thanks.

[1nickt]

Hi, try

{ data_type => "varchar", is_nullable => 1, size => "max" }
#                                                   ^   ^

... that's what the Perl error is reporting.

That may lead to a DBIx::Class error, I don't know whether the syntax is supported.

I wasn't familiar with VARCHAR(MAX) so I looked it up; it seems it's not recommended except in the specific case of having data of potentially large size (e.g. VARCHAR(MAX) vs VARCHAR(255)). Is that your case?

Hope this helps!

[phildeman]

Yep, that worked. That is it got rid of the error. However, regarding you point about
varchar(max) not being supported, I read that too. I will see if it works. If not, I will see if
my DBA can change the data size to accommodate this package.

Thanks again for your help.

-Phil-