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mike123
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
1462 Posts |
 Posted - 2003-07-11 : 20:18:40
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| I have a few columns in my database that either just store a 0 or a 1 basically to denote if something is yes/no , true/false, checked / unchecked. I store this column as a tinyint.Would it be better to store it as a char, and have Y/N or T/F etc?Any performance benefits of doing it either way? just wondering..Thanks alotMike123 |
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SamC
White Water Yakist
3467 Posts |
Posted - 2003-07-11 : 20:42:10
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| With all due respect, I think the answer is "whatever".When you query a 2 value column it's possible to return whatever you want in SQL anyhow using a CASE statement.Select CASE WHEN MyCol=1 THEN 'T' ELSE 'F' END as MyColOr, you could add a calculated column to the table that does the same thing. Or have multiple calculated columns some which say Y/N, T/F, 1/0.I suggest you store it in whatever format makes your query's perform best.Sam |
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nr
SQLTeam MVY
12543 Posts |
Posted - 2003-07-12 : 15:34:00
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| Or would it be better to have another table and just store the primary keys where the value is true (or false).Depends how you want to use it.This will make it efficient for retrieving those records (especially if there are few of them) but may make things more complicated.==========================================Cursors are useful if you don't know sql.DTS can be used in a similar way.Beer is not cold and it isn't fizzy. |
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MichaelP
Jedi Yak
2489 Posts |
Posted - 2003-07-13 : 03:22:49
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| For such things, I use a BIT field. I think it's smaller than TinyInt.Michael<Yoda>Use the Search page you must. Find the answer you will.</Yoda> |
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Merkin
Funky Drop Bear Fearing SQL Dude!
4970 Posts |
Posted - 2003-07-13 : 06:26:53
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| You think or you know ?I find that Bit fields can be a bit of a pain to work with in ADO. But if you have a few of them yes they will use up a couple less bytes.Damian |
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SamC
White Water Yakist
3467 Posts |
Posted - 2003-07-13 : 16:59:27
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| Bytes schmites. I've never seen an app where the difference of 7 bits would make a difference.Go for the T/F.Sam |
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mike123
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
1462 Posts |
Posted - 2003-07-14 : 02:20:08
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| its just that its queried alot (400,000 + times a day) and it will be only going up .. and the database server is already under heavy load .. i think i'll just stick with tinyint since I have had no problems so far .. if i could get a 5% improvement i would gladly change itthanks alotmike123 |
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