BLOB vs TEXT in MySQL: When Should You Use Each Datatype?

Understanding the Distinctions between BLOB and TEXT Datatypes in MySQL

In MySQL, understanding the differences between BLOB (Binary Large Object) and TEXT datatypes is crucial when handling large binary or character data.

Definition and Usage:

BLOB is a datatype primarily designed for storing binary data, such as images, documents, or audio/video files. TEXT, on the other hand, is intended for storing large textual data.

Key Differences:

• Data Structure: BLOB stores binary data as byte sequences, while TEXT stores character data in a specific character set.
• Character Set: TEXT has a character set associated with it, influencing sorting and comparison operations. BLOB does not have a character set and is treated as a binary string.
• Collation: TEXT values are compared and sorted based on their character set's collation, while BLOB values are compared purely on their numeric byte values.

Specific Considerations:

• MediumBLOB and MediumTEXT: While they share similar names, MediumBLOB stores binary data up to 16 MB, and MediumTEXT stores character data up to 16 MB. They do not have equivalent meanings in terms of storage or manipulation.
• Variable Length Storage: TEXT and BLOB can vary in length, allowing for dynamic data storage.
• L in MEDIUMBLOB/MEDIUMTEXT: L in MEDIUMBLOB and MEDIUMTEXT L 3 bytes, where L < 224, represents the length of the stored data in bytes.

When to Use BLOB or TEXT:

• Use BLOB when storing binary data like images or documents.
• Use TEXT for storing character data that does not require special collation or character set considerations.
• Consider using MEDIUMBLOB or MEDIUMTEXT for data sizes up to 16 MB.

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