Ah, the cryptic spell of MySQL’s INT(11)—a sequence of characters that has mystified, intrigued, and often led even the most experienced database

The Enigma of MySQL’s INT(11): Unraveling the Mystery

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2024-07-05 23:00:05

Ah, the cryptic spell of MySQL’s INT(11)—a sequence of characters that has mystified, intrigued, and often led even the most experienced database architects astray. On the surface, one might surmise that the 11 in INT(11) serves as a cap on the number of digits an integer column can hold. Yet, like an enigmatic riddle penned by a cunning scribe, this is but a façade, a layer of mist clouding its true nature.

So, let’s pull back the curtain and embark on an enthralling journey to decipher the secrets behind INT(11) and its enigmatic companion, ZEROFILL. Through practical examples, real-world use-cases, and deep-dives into the arcane corridors of MySQL documentation, we shall reveal the depths of this mysterious topic.

Before we delve deeper into the subject, let’s set the stage with a practical example. Consider the following SQL code to create a MySQL table featuring an INT(11) column:

The 11 has vanished! What arcane magic is this? In truth, the 11 serves as a display width, not as a constraint on the column's storage capacity. The INT type in MySQL is a 4-byte integer—no more, no less. The 11 comes into play when you utilize the mysterious ZEROFILL attribute.