Importance of fieldtype and length/values?

La_Parka

What is the importance of fieldtype and length/values for integers? For instance, how will my database be affected if I use a standard "int(11)" to keep track of an entry that will either be "0" or "1" in each row, as opposed to using "tinyint(1)"?

Sxooter

assigning precision to integers it counterintuitive, and the only database that tries to do it is MySQL. The docs for MySQL cover this pretty well, but I have to ask why use an INT with a precision? Wouldn't a numeric or decimal make more sense in most situations? Especially seeing as how MySQL doesn't really even enforce the precision declaration properly.

superwormy

INT(11) isn't a precision, it's the length of the INTEGER database that's allowed.

It really won't affect much, the biggest thing is that it allows you to maintain cleaner data in some cases, 'cause you're resricting what is allowed in the table. Further, some INT lengths use less storage space than other INT lengths, so you might conserve some disk space.

ahundiak

INT(11) isn't a precision, it's the length of the INTEGER database that's allowed

Nope. Nope. Nope.

From the mysql manual
Another extension is supported by MySQL for optionally specifying the display width of an integer value in parentheses following the base keyword for the type (for example, INT(4)). This optional width specification is used to left-pad the display of values whose width is less than the width specified for the column, but does not constrain the range of values that can be stored in the column, nor the number of digits that will be displayed for values whose width exceeds that specified for the column.

In other words, it's pretty much useless unless you need to pretty up your query results for some reason.

Sxooter

Originally posted by ahundiak
Nope. Nope. Nope.

In other words, it's pretty much useless unless you need to pretty up your query results for some reason.

It's also another example of MySQL doing something non-intuitive that can bite you in the ass if you're not careful.

superwormy

I stand corrected... thats pretty stupid... sheesh.