About Truncations

The web's most thorough reference on truncation.

Truncations exists to answer one deceptively simple question — what does it mean to truncate something? — in every context it comes up. Truncation appears in databases, programming, web design, mathematics, statistics, email systems and library research, and each field uses the word slightly differently.

We've gathered 264 clear, practical guides that explain truncation from every angle: the TRUNCATE TABLE SQL command and how it differs from DELETE and DROP; truncating text with CSS and HTML; truncation error in numerical analysis; why your emails get clipped; and how truncation symbols power database searches.

Who writes this

Articles are edited under the byline of Charlotte Wilson and reviewed for technical accuracy. Our goal is plain-English explanations backed by correct, runnable examples — no jargon walls, no fluff.

How to use the site

• SQL & Databases — the truncate command, foreign keys, performance.
• Text, CSS & Code — shortening text on the web.
• Maths & Numerical — rounding vs truncation, error bounds.
• Search & Research — wildcards and truncation symbols.
• Email & Messaging — clipped messages and recovery.

Questions or corrections? Get in touch — we read every message at [email protected].