[RESOLVED] Mysql - best way to store data

[devsie]

Hi,

I run a small mysql database with user information. I've been adding a number of on/off options for them on the website.

I've been using a varchar field and just setting the text to "yes"/"no", or "on"/"off" depending. I'm sure there's probably a better way of doing this and i'm guessing there's probably a good reason why I shouldn't be using this method.

Any advice?

Thank-you 🙂

[coldwerturkey]

afaik, setting the column to tinyint, 1 char, is supposed to be pretty fast/efficient (where 0=no/false/off, 1=yes/true/on)

[bradgrafelman]

If you really want to squeeze a little more efficiency out of the situation, this blog has some suggestions depending upon whether you're working with MyISAM or InnoDB tables.

[devsie]

thank you 🙂

[Weedpacket]

Or you could use a DBMS that actually has a native boolean type to begin with 🙂.