VARCHAR(36) vs. CHAR(16) BINARY: Which is the Best Way to Store GUIDs in MySQL?

Alternative Approaches for Storing GUIDs in MySQL Tables

When considering storing Globally Unique Identifiers (GUIDs) in MySQL tables, the typical options include VARCHAR(36) or CHAR(16) BINARY. While VARCHAR(36) allows for storage of the full textual representation of a GUID, it may be an inefficient use of storage space.

An alternative approach suggested by a DBA is to store GUIDs as CHAR(16) BINARY. This approach utilizes a binary representation of the GUID, which significantly reduces the storage requirement from 36 characters to 16 bytes.

By converting the GUID to a binary representation, you can achieve the same functionality as using VARCHAR(36) while optimizing storage space. This approach is particularly beneficial if you are constrained by storage capacity or need to handle a large volume of GUIDs.

Remember, the optimal storage method may depend on your specific requirements and the context of your application. However, CHAR(16) BINARY offers a space-efficient alternative to VARCHAR(36) for storing GUIDs in MySQL tables.

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