SQL performance: Is there any performance hit using NVarchar(MAX) instead of NVarChar(200)

Question

I am wondering if there is any disadvantage on defining a column of type nvarchar(max) instead of giving it a (smaller) maximum size.

I read somewhere that if the co

Answer 1

an index cannot be created on a column over 900 bytes. Columns that are of the large object (LOB) data types ntext, text, varchar(max), nvarchar(max), varbinary(max), xml, or image cannot be specified as key columns for an index

you can however use included columns

All data types are allowed except text, ntext, and image. The index must be created or rebuilt offline (ONLINE = OFF) if any one of the specified non-key columns are varchar(max), nvarchar(max), or varbinary(max) data types.