Both INT and BIGINT are exact numeric data types, used for storing integer value. Below table lists out the major difference between INT and BIGINT Data Types.
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INT | BIGINT | |
| Storage Size | 4 Bytes | 8 Bytes |
| Minimum Value | -2,147,483,648 (-2^31) | -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (-2^63) |
| Maximum Value | 2,147,483,647 (2^31-1) | 9,223,372,036,854,775,807 (2^63-1) |
| Usage Example | DECLARE @i INT SET @i = 150 PRINT @i RESULT: | DECLARE @i BIGINT SET @i = 150 PRINT @i RESULT: |
| Example of Storage Size used by the variable to store the value | DECLARE @i INT SET @i = 150 PRINT DATALENGTH( @i) RESULT: | DECLARE @i BIGINT SET @i = 150 PRINT DATALENGTH( @i) RESULT: |
| Example of INT out of range value | DECLARE @i INT SET @i = 2147483648 PRINT @i RESULT: Msg 8115, Level 16, State 2, Line 2 | DECLARE @i BIGINT SET @i = 2147483648 PRINT @i RESULT: |
| Try to store Negative value | DECLARE @i INT SET @i = -150 PRINT @i RESULT: | DECLARE @i BIGINT SET @i = -150 PRINT @i RESULT: |
[ALSO READ] SMALLINT Vs INT
Selecting the correct data type while creating a table is very critical. In-correct selection of the data type will result in performance and storage issues over the time as the data grows. As in-correct selection of data type results requiring more storage space to store and no. of records stored in each data page will be less. And on top if index is created on such columns, it not only takes the extra space in storing the value in a row in the data page but also requires extra space in the index. Less the no. of records stored in the data page, then to serve the queries Sql Server needs to load more no. of data pages to the memory. So, it is very crucial to select the correct data type while creating table. Hope the above differences will help you in selecting the correct data type while creating the table.
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- Char vs Varchar
- Text vs Varchar(Max)
- Union vs Union All
- DateTime vs DateTime2
- SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON vs SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER OFF
- Stored Procedure vs User Defined Function
- Primary Key vs Unique Key
- RAISERROR vs THROW
- Temporary Table vs Table Variable
- Len() vs Datalength()
- Sequence vs Identity
- DATEDIFF vs DATEDIFF_BIG
- LEFT JOIN vs LEFT OUTER JOIN
- RIGHT JOIN vs RIGHT OUTER JOIN
- JOIN vs INNER JOIN
- LEFT OUTER JOIN vs RIGHT OUTER JOIN
- SMALLDATETIME vs DATETIME