TINYINT

TINYINT is a data type used in many database systems and programming languages to store very small integer values. Its primary characteristic is its limited range. Typically, a TINYINT can store values from 0 to 255 if it is unsigned, or from -128 to 127 if it is signed. This limited range makes it highly efficient in terms of storage space, as it requires only one byte (8 bits) of memory. Because of its small size, TINYINT is often used for boolean flags, small counters, or enumeration values where the number of possible states is very low. Using TINYINT when a larger integer type is not necessary can contribute to database optimization and reduce memory consumption in applications. The specific implementation and range can vary slightly between different database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server, and programming languages. However, the core concept of a very small integer storage remains consistent.