PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide

MySQL

Selecting the proper column type for your tables is key to a successful database. Table C.12 lists the different string, number, and other types you can use, along with how much space they will take up on the server’s hard drive. When choosing a type for each column, you should use the most efficient (i.e., the most size-frugal) data type based upon what the largest value of the column could be.

Table C.12. The list of available types for column definitions in a MySQL table.

MySQL Data Types
TYPE	SIZE	DESCRIPTION
CHAR[Length]	Length bytes	A fixed-length field from 0 to 255 characters long
VARCHAR(Length)	String length + 1 bytes	A fixed-length field from 0 to 255 characters long
TINYTEXT	String length + 1 bytes	A string with a maximum length of 255 ...