What is the Actual Value Range of MySQL\'s INT Data Type?

Diving into the MySQL INT Data Type

In the realm of database design, data types play a crucial role in defining the storage and handling of data. Among these data types, INT stands out as a fundamental choice for representing integer values.

Uncovering the INT's Range of Values

A common question arises when using the INT data type: what is the range of values it can accommodate? Specifically, does an INT with a value of 8 limit the range from 1 to 99999999 or instead span from 1 to 4294967295 UNSIGNED?

Consulting the Documentation

The answer lies in the official MySQL documentation, which elucidates the behavior of the INT data type. According to the documentation, the display width specified in parentheses after INT (e.g., INT(4) for a display width of four digits) serves primarily for visual representation in applications.

Display Width vs. Storage Capacity

It is crucial to note that the display width does not constrain the range of values that can be stored in the column. Even if the display width is set to a specific number of digits, values exceeding that width can still be stored and displayed correctly.

For example, a column declared as SMALLINT(3) maintains the typical SMALLINT range of -32768 to 32767. Even if values outside this range are encountered, they are displayed in full without any truncation.

Conclusion

The INT data type in MySQL allows for the storage of a wide range of integer values, unbounded by the display width. The display width merely provides visual formatting for applications, while the actual data capacity is determined by the inherent range of the INT data type.

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