What Is Int Data Type in MySQL?

What Is Int Data Type in MySQL?

MySQL is a popular relational database management system that provides various data types to store different kinds of data. One of the most commonly used data types in MySQL is the INT data type.

In this article, we will explore what the INT data type is and how it can be used effectively in your database designs.

The INT Data Type

The INT data type, short for integer, is used to store whole numbers without any decimal places. It can represent both positive and negative numbers within a specific range.

The range of values that can be stored in an INT column depends on the size specified during its declaration.

Syntax:

To define an INT column in MySQL, you can use the following syntax:

column_name INT(size);

Here, column_name is the name you want to give to your column, and size represents the number of bytes allocated for storing the value. The size parameter is optional and if not provided, MySQL will allocate 4 bytes by default.

Examples:

Let’s look at some examples to understand the usage of the INT data type better:

• Create a table named “employees” with an id column defined as INT:

  CREATE TABLE employees (
    id INT,
    name VARCHAR(50),
    age INT
  );
  

• Add records to the “employees” table:

  INSERT INTO employees (id, name, age)
    VALUES (1, 'John Doe', 30),
           (2, 'Jane Smith', 25),
           (3, 'Mike Johnson', 40);
  

• Retrieve all records from the “employees” table:

  SELECT * FROM employees;
  

Conclusion

In conclusion, the INT data type in MySQL is a versatile and widely used data type for storing whole numbers. It allows you to efficiently store and retrieve numerical values within a specific range.

By understanding how to use the INT data type effectively, you can design robust databases that cater to your application’s needs.

Remember to choose an appropriate size for your INT column based on the range of values you expect to store. This will help optimize storage space and ensure accurate representation of your data.