MYSQL and Birthdates

[itKiwi]

I want to be able to store birthdates, where often, not the full date is known. For example, sometimes, only the year will be known, sometimes, the year and the month, and sometimes the full birthdate will be known.

I would still like to be able to find, for example, all the birthdates in June, or perhaps all those who turn 50 this year, even with the different formats.

Any ideas on the best way to do this please ?

[bastien]

store as text (varchar) and use the mysql and php date/time functions when you need to manipulate them...