Currently using MySQL version 5.1.6
This is my first real world build and so far I have actually been enjoying it; however, I now am stuck on a decision regarding a field datatype and hoping someone could sort it out for me.
I essentially have 10 fields that are all different test results. The numbers range from -100 to 100 and can have a decimal with one spot after the actual point.
For example, -5.1, 0, 1, 16.3, 99.2, and 100 are all possible data. From what I have read, one should use DECIMAL for those things that we usually measure and are exact (which these are), whereas FLOAT and DOUBLE are approximations, which I do not really want (though I am sure at this level, the approximation is very small if existent at all).
If I use DECIMAL, do I have to include a space for the ‘-‘ at the beginning if used? I.E, would I use DECIMAL(4,1) or DECIMAL(5,1) or am I way off here? I might be overthinking this a bit.
The negative symbol does NOT count as a digit in your calculation, so DECIMAL(4,1) should be fine.
Edit: That also seems like the right field to use for your purposes. Try it out!