In MySQL, the SMALLINT data type is used to store integer values within a specified range. It is a fixed-point data type, which means that it stores whole numbers without any decimal places. The SMALLINT data type occupies 2 bytes of storage and can store values ranging from -32,768 to 32,767 (signed) or 0 to 65,535 (unsigned).

Key points

Here are some key points about the MySQL SMALLINT data type:

Size: The SMALLINT data type occupies 2 bytes of storage, making it more space-efficient compared to larger integer types like INT or BIGINT. This can be important when storage space is a consideration.

Range: The signed SMALLINT can store values in the range of -32,768 to 32,767, while the unsigned SMALLINT can store values in the range of 0 to 65,535. The choice between signed and unsigned depends on whether negative values are allowed or required for your specific use case.

Storage: SMALLINT values are stored in a binary format, which is more space-efficient compared to character-based representations. This can contribute to better performance in terms of storage and retrieval.

Performance: SMALLINT is often used for columns that need to store relatively small integers, and its smaller size can contribute to better performance in terms of query execution and index usage. However, the performance gain might be negligible in many cases, and the choice of data type should be based on the specific requirements of the application.

Usage: SMALLINT is commonly used in scenarios where the range of values is known to be within the limits provided by this data type. Examples include representing counts, years, or other numeric values that fit within the specified range.

Example

Here is a basic example of creating a table with a column of SMALLINT data type:

CREATE TABLE example_table (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    smallint_column SMALLINT
);

In this example, the example_table has a column named smallint_column with the SMALLINT data type. This column can store small integer values within the specified range.

Keep in mind that the choice of data type should be based on the specific requirements of your application and the range of values you expect to store in the column.