Variable_length_record

(computer science) A data or file format that allows each record to be exactly as long as needed.

Computer-file record that may vary in the number of characters or fields it includes from one record to another. Although a variable-length record may have a maximum size, its length is otherwise determined by the amount of information necessary to establish the record. For example, a name and address record might require as few as four fields and as many as six or even more. Variable-length records give the file owner added flexibility but may consume more computer time than fixed-length records.