Optimising MySQL

PMWD · 28 Nov 2009 at 19:17

What are peoples thoughts on types in a mysql database? Say for instance I'm being lazy, and I've selected VARCHAR(255) for a phone number I know is only ever going to be 12 numericals?

Anyone got a guide on this sort of thing? I'm expecting a lot of records...

Cheers

Beansprout · 28 Nov 2009 at 19:35

You got it in one, don't be lazy

dangerstat · 28 Nov 2009 at 21:35

Bean face is right. Indexing key columns will help (but at a cost).

Beansprout · 28 Nov 2009 at 21:58

Beansprout said:
You got it in one, don't be lazy

To expand a bit - the MySQL site has an awful lot of detail but in summary use the best column type for its contents, and try to create fixed-length rows wherever possible. Varchars are bad for performance, for example.

SiriusB · 29 Nov 2009 at 00:29

Beansprout said:
To expand a bit - the MySQL site has an awful lot of detail but in summary use the best column type for its contents, and try to create fixed-length rows wherever possible. Varchars are bad for performance, for example.

Damnit Mr Sprout, I was gonna say that!

Glad I refreshed before posting!