BigInt vs. Int in MySQL: What's the Real Difference?

BigInt vs. Int: Understanding the Difference in MySQL

When working with MySQL, it's crucial to understand the different data types available and when to use each one. Two of the most commonly used types are BigInt and Int, but their differences are often misunderstood.

BigInt and Int are both integer types, but they differ in terms of the size and range of values they can hold. Int uses 4 bytes of storage space and can hold values between -2,147,483,648 and 2,147,483,647. On the other hand, BigInt uses 8 bytes of storage space and can accommodate values from -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807.

While this difference in size and range may seem obvious, the "(20)" suffix in Int(20) and BigInt(20) can be misleading. This suffix does not indicate a size limit, as it does for character types like CHAR(20). Instead, it represents a hint for display width, which affects how values are displayed in certain cases, such as when using the ZEROFILL option.

In summary, Int(20) and BigInt(20) are distinct data types that differ in size and value range. Int(20) can hold smaller values than BigInt(20), and its width hint affects the display format but not the storage capacity. Selecting the appropriate type for your data is essential to ensure optimal storage efficiency and accuracy.

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