Should I use the datetime or timestamp data type in MySQL?

mysql datetime timestamp sqldatatypes
koni picture koni · Jan 3, 2009 · Viewed 913.2k times · Source

Would you recommend using a datetime or a timestamp field, and why (using MySQL)?

I'm working with PHP on the server side.

Answer

blivet picture blivet · Jan 3, 2009

Timestamps in MySQL are generally used to track changes to records, and are often updated every time the record is changed. If you want to store a specific value you should use a datetime field.

If you meant that you want to decide between using a UNIX timestamp or a native MySQL datetime field, go with the native format. You can do calculations within MySQL that way ("SELECT DATE_ADD(my_datetime, INTERVAL 1 DAY)") and it is simple to change the format of the value to a UNIX timestamp ("SELECT UNIX_TIMESTAMP(my_datetime)") when you query the record if you want to operate on it with PHP.

Related questions

MySQL convert date string to Unix timestamp

How do I convert the following format to unix timestamp? Apr 15 2012 12:00AM The format I get from DB seems to have AM at the end. I've tried using the following but it did not work: CONVERT(DATETIME, Sales.SalesDate, 103) AS …

Read More
CURRENT_TIMESTAMP in milliseconds

Is there any way to get milliseconds out of a timestamp in MySql or PostgreSql (or others just out of curiosity)? SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP --> 2012-03-08 20:12:06.032572 Is there anything like this: SELECT CURRENT_MILLISEC --> 1331255526000 or the …

Read More
Timestamp with a millisecond precision: How to save them in MySQL

I have to develop a application using MySQL and I have to save values like "1412792828893" which represent a timestamp but with a precision of a millisecond. That is, the amount of milliseconds since 1.1.1970. I declare the row as timestamp but …

Read More