Which MySQL Collation is Best for Websites with User Input?

Optimal Collation for MySQL and PHP

When developing websites where user input may vary, it is crucial to select an appropriate collation type for MySQL to ensure proper data handling. This question explores the best collation options for such scenarios.

Recommendation for General Use

MySQL officially recommends using UTF-8 as the character set and utf8_unicode_ci as the collation type for general websites. This collation provides a comprehensive coverage of characters and Unicode compatibility, ensuring accurate data processing and sorting.

Choice of "utf8"

PHP's "UTF-8" corresponds to the UTF-8 character set in MySQL. When selecting a collation for this character set, it is essential to consider sorting accuracy and performance.

Collation Options

There are several "utf8" collations available in MySQL, each with its own advantages and limitations:

• utf8_general_ci: Offers faster performance but may compromise sorting accuracy.
• utf8_unicode_ci: Prioritizes sorting accuracy over performance, providing the most comprehensive character comparison.
• utf8_bin: Designed for binary comparison of characters, which is generally not used for sorting text.

Recommendation for Sorting Accuracy

For most scenarios, where sorting accuracy is crucial, it is advisable to use utf8_unicode_ci. This collation ensures correct sorting of characters even when dealing with complex languages and scripts.

Language-Specific Collations

MySQL also offers language-specific collations (e.g., utf8_swedish_ci). These collations incorporate language-specific rules, maximizing sorting accuracy for texts in those languages. However, they may not be suitable for websites that handle content in multiple languages.

Additional Information

Refer to MySQL's official documentation for a detailed explanation of Unicode character sets and collations at http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/charset-unicode-sets.html.

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