SQL Data Types

Data Types

SQL offers several data types to represent different kinds of data you want to store. Understanding these is crucial for effective database design.

Data Types

Let's explore some of the core data types in SQL:

Key Data Types

These are the most fundamental data types:

• INT: Integer numbers (whole numbers).
• FLOAT: Floating-point numbers (decimal numbers).
• DECIMAL: Decimal numbers (with precision and scale).
• VARCHAR: Variable-length strings (text).
• TEXT: Longer text strings.
• DATE: Dates and times.
• DATETIME: Dates and times (including time zone).

Data Types in Detail

INT: Represents whole numbers. It's used for numerical data where precision is not critical. FLOAT: Suitable for numbers that have a decimal point. It's used for floating-point numbers. DECIMAL: Used when exact accuracy is required, especially for monetary values. VARCHAR: Used for text data where the length can vary. This data type allows for variable-length strings. TEXT: For longer strings of text where the maximum length isn't a constraint. DATE: Stores date values. DATETIME: Stores date and time values, especially when time information is important.

Link to Data Types Document

For a more comprehensive overview, you can find the complete data types document here: https://www.sqlserver.com/docs/sql/sqlserver/data-types/