Final answer:
In order to store more than 8000 characters in SQL Server, use 'varchar (max)' or 'nvarchar (max)', which support up to 2 GB of data. Use 'nvarchar (max)' for Unicode data and 'varchar (max)' for non-Unicode. Deprecated types like 'text' and 'image' should be avoided.
Step-by-step explanation:
To store more than 8000 characters in SQL Server, you should use the varcha r (max) or nvarcha r (max) data types which can store up to 2 GB of data. If you need to store Unicode characters, choose nvar char (max); otherwise, varc har (max) will suffice. In cases where text is formatted or large objects other than text are stored, consider using the text or image data types, although these are deprecated in favor of the var char (max) and varbin ary (max) data types respectively.
When creating a new table or altering an existing one, you would define the column as follows:
- For Unicode storage: CREATE TABLE MyTable (MyColumn nvarch ar (max));
- For non-Unicode storage: CREATE TABLE MyTable (MyColumn varc har (max));
Remember that proper database design and understanding the requirements of the data you are storing is critical for choosing the right data type.