What Does `INT(11)` Really Mean in MySQL?

Understanding the Size of 'INT(11) ' Columns in MySQL

When creating an 'INT' data type in MySQL, specifying a length, such as '(11)', is a common practice. However, it's important to note that the size of an 'INT' column remains consistent regardless of the specified length.

All 'INT' columns occupy 4 bytes (32 bits) in MySQL. This value is determined by the data type itself, and specifying a length does not alter the underlying data representation.

The designated length, in this case, '(11)', serves a different purpose. It determines the display width of the column output in the MySQL command-line client. When selecting data from an 'INT' column, MySQL will pad the output with spaces to match the specified length. This allows for visual alignment and formatting when viewing results.

Regarding the maximum value that can be stored in an 'INT(11)' column, it depends on whether the column is signed or unsigned. Signed integers can hold values between -2147483648 and 2147483647, while unsigned integers can hold values from 0 to 4294967295.

It's worth noting that MySQL offers other integer data types with varying sizes:

• TINYINT: 1 byte (8 bits)
• SMALLINT: 2 bytes (16 bits)
• MEDIUMINT: 3 bytes (24 bits)
• BIGINT: 8 bytes (64 bits)

Choosing the appropriate integer data type for your application depends on the range of values that need to be stored and the desired space efficiency.

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