[lug] Which Database schema?

[BC]

I'm a hobbyist with no formal CS schooling background.

With respect to # of columns in a db table, is it better to have fewer 
columns, each being much wider, or more columns with smaller chunks of 
data in them? With more columns, the updates to the db would be to 
fewer columns at each read/write.

I think I know the answer, but would appreciate your thoughts. I can 
expand the question more if need be.

The db I'm using is SQLite but presumably the answer would apply to 
all db types, right?