Signed vs Unsigned Integers

The integer data type is probably one of the more common data types when working with database management systems (and with computing in general). The integer is a numeric data type that allows us to store certain kinds of numbers.

More specifically, an integer is the number zero (0), a positive natural number (e.g. 1, 2, 3, …) or a negative integer with a minus sign (e.g. −1, −2, −3, …). Integers contain no decimal or fractional part.

However, many computing environments distinguish between signed integers and unsigned integers.

Let’s take a look at the difference between signed integers and unsigned integers.

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Fix Error “1064 (42000): You have an error in your SQL syntax…” When Trying to Convert to an Integer in MySQL

If you’re getting error number 1064 that reads something like “1064 (42000): You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near ‘INTEGER )’ at line 1“, it could be that you’re using the wrong term for the integer.

MySQL doesn’t let us use just the INTEGER keyword when converting to an integer. We need to use either SIGNED or UNSIGNED, optionally followed by INTEGER or INT. When we do this, it produces a signed or unsigned BIGINT value.

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Fix Msg 3728 in SQL Server “… is not a constraint”

If you’re getting an error that reads something like “Msg 3728, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
‘DF__Dogs__DogId__6FE99F9F’ is not a constraint
“, it’s probably because you’re trying to drop a constraint that isn’t in the database.

To fix this issue, check to make sure the constraint exists before dropping it. Alternatively, use the IF EXISTS clause to drop the constraint only if it exists.

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