Understanding SQL Server INT for Dev

Hello Dev, if you’re working with SQL Server, it’s important to understand the different data types available. In this article, we’ll be focusing on the INT data type. We’ll cover everything from what it is, to how it works, and how to use it effectively in your SQL Server projects.

What is SQL Server INT?

The SQL Server INT data type is used to represent whole numbers. It stands for “integer”. An integer is a number that has no fractional part, such as 1, 2, 3, and so on. The INT data type in SQL Server can store values that range from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647.

There are also other data types for storing numbers in SQL Server, such as BIGINT, SMALLINT, TINYINT, FLOAT, and REAL. However, INT is one of the most commonly used data types for storing whole numbers.

How does it work?

When you create a column in a SQL Server table and specify the data type as INT, SQL Server reserves space for an integer value. The amount of space reserved is four bytes. This means that an INT column can store any value within the range of -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647.

When you insert a value into an INT column, it must be a whole number within the range of -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647. If you try to insert a value outside of this range, SQL Server will throw an error.

Here’s an example of how to create a table with an INT column:

Column Name	Data Type
ID	INT
Name	VARCHAR(50)

How to use it effectively

When using the INT data type in SQL Server, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

1. Choose the appropriate data type

If you’re working with whole numbers and don’t need to store values outside of the range of -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647, then INT is a good choice. However, if you need to store larger numbers, consider using the BIGINT data type instead.

2. Use it as a primary key

INT is a good choice for a primary key column in a SQL Server table. It’s small, fast, and efficient.

3. Be careful with arithmetic operations

When performing arithmetic operations on INT values, be careful to avoid overflow. Overflow occurs when the result of an arithmetic operation is outside of the range of -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647. To avoid overflow, you can use the BIGINT data type instead.

4. Understand how it’s stored

INT values are stored as four bytes in SQL Server. This means that they take up a small amount of space. However, if you have a table with a large number of INT columns, the table can still take up a significant amount of disk space. Be mindful of the size of your tables and consider using more efficient data types if necessary.

5. Use it with aggregate functions

The INT data type is commonly used with aggregate functions such as SUM, COUNT, and AVG. These functions work well with integer values and can help you quickly and easily calculate totals and averages.

FAQ

What’s the difference between INT and BIGINT?

The main difference between INT and BIGINT is the range of values they can store. INT can store values from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647, while BIGINT can store values from -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807. If you need to store larger numbers, use BIGINT.

Can I use INT with decimal values?

No, INT can only store whole numbers. If you need to store decimal values, use a different data type such as FLOAT or DECIMAL.

Can I change the data type of an existing column to INT?

Yes, you can use the ALTER TABLE statement to change the data type of an existing column to INT. However, keep in mind that this may cause data loss if the values in the column are larger than the range of INT.

Can I use INT with NULL values?

Yes, you can use INT with NULL values. If you want to allow NULL values in an INT column, specify the column as nullable when creating the table.

Can I use INT with string values?

No, INT can only store numeric values. If you need to store string values, use a different data type such as VARCHAR or NVARCHAR.