SQL Server 2000 Data Types
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Understanding SQL Server 2000 Data Types
Overview
SQL Server 2000 requires each variable and column to be defined by its data type to efficiently manage storage and processing. This helps optimize both space allocation and processing speed.
Built-in Data Types
SQL Server 2000 includes several built-in data types:
Numeric Types:
- bigint: Stores integers from -2^63 to 2^63-1.
- int: Stores integers from -2^31 to 2^31-1.
- smallint: Stores integers from -2^15 to 2^15-1.
- tinyint: Stores integers from 0 to 255.
- bit: Stores either a 0 or 1.
- decimal/numeric: Fixed precision/scale from -10^38+1 to 10^38-1.
- money: Monetary values from -2^63 to 2^63-1.
- smallmoney: Monetary values from -214,748.3648 to 214,748.3647.
- float: Floating-point numbers from -1.79E+308 to 1.79E+308.
- real: Floating-point numbers from -3.40E+38 to 3.40E+38.
Date and Time Types:
- datetime: Stores dates/times from January 1, 1753, to December 31, 9999, with 3.33 ms accuracy.
- smalldatetime: Stores dates/times from January 1, 1900, to June 6, 2079, with minute accuracy.
Character Types:
- char: Fixed-length, up to 8,000 characters.
- varchar: Variable-length, up to 8,000 characters.
- text: Variable-length, up to 2^31-1 characters.
- nchar: Fixed-length Unicode, up to 4,000 characters.
- nvarchar: Variable-length Unicode, up to 4,000 characters.
- ntext: Variable-length Unicode, up to 2^30-1 characters.
Binary Types:
- binary: Fixed-length, up to 8,000 bytes.
- varbinary: Variable-length, up to 8,000 bytes.
- image: Variable-length, up to 2^31-1 bytes.
Other Types:
- cursor: Reference to a database cursor.
- sql_variant: Stores values of various data types (excluding text, ntext, timestamp, sql_variant).
- table: Stores a result set for later processing.
- timestamp: Unique number that updates with each row modification.
- uniqueidentifier: Globally unique identifier.
Note: `bigint`, `sql_variant`, and `table` types are new additions in SQL Server 2000.
User-Defined Data Types
User-defined data types offer additional flexibility and description capabilities. They are based on the built-in types and can include default values, constraints, and checks. To create one, use:
```sql
sp_addtype datatypename, basedatatype, 'NULL'/'NOT NULL'
```
Selecting the Right Data Type
- Storage Considerations: SQL Server data pages are 8KB, with about 8060 bytes available for user data. Choose data types that optimize page usage to reduce disk paging.
- Integer Data:
- Use tinyint for values between 0 and 255.
- Use smallint for values between -32,768 and 32,767.
- Use int for values from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647.
- Monetary Data:
- Use smallmoney when values range between -214,748.3648 and 214,748.3647.
- Date and Time:
- Choose smalldatetime over datetime for data from January 1, 1900 to June 6, 2079, with minute precision.
- Character Data:
- Opt for varchar/nvarchar over text/ntext to minimize separate paging. Use char/varchar over nchar/nvarchar unless Unicode is necessary, as Unicode types require more space.
Additional Resources
- Tutorial: Learn about SQL Server 7 and database files.
- Information: Comprehensive details about SQL.
Contact: For custom database solutions, reach out for a free consultation at (973) 635-0080 or email at paladn.com.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: SQL Server 2000 Data Types.
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