which datatype to use to store a mobile number

sql-server-2005 sql-server-2008 sql-server-express sqldatatypes
sqlchild picture sqlchild · Jun 1, 2011 · Viewed 54k times · Source

Which datatype shall I use to store mobile numbers of 10 digits (Ex.:9932234242). Shall I go for varchar(10) or for the big one- the "bigint".

If the number is of type- '0021-23141231' , then which datatype to use?

Answer

gbn picture gbn · Jun 1, 2011
  • varchar/char long enough for all expected (eg UK numbers are 11 long)
  • check constraint to allow only digits (expression = NOT LIKE '%[^0-9]%')
  • format in the client per locale (UK = 07123 456 789 , Switzerland = 071 234 56 78)

Related questions

SQL Server Management Studio - Adding/Moving Columns require drop and re-create?

Why do I get message that the table needs to dropped and re-created when I add/move columns? I believe this happens after adding foreign key constraints. What can I do to add new columns without dropping table?

Read More
How to avoid the "divide by zero" error in SQL?

I have this error message: Msg 8134, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 Divide by zero error encountered. What is the best way to write SQL code so that I will never see this error message again? I could do either of the following: …

Read More
SQL Server query to find all permissions/access for all users in a database

I would like to write a query on a sql 2008 that will report all the users that have access to a specific database, or objects within the database such as tables, views, and stored procedures, either directly or due to …

Read More