title: When to use the different numeric data types - TINYINT / SMALLINT / MEDIUMINT / INT / BIGINT - MySQL
body: <p>I read the answers given here: <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2991405/what-is-the-difference-between-tinyint-smallint-mediumint-bigint-and-int-in-s">What is the difference between tinyint, smallint, mediumint, bigint and int in MySQL?</a> , so I now know how they store the data, but I'm still not sure how to set my database up. For example, if I want a field to be either 0 or 1 (sort of binary, 0 = off, 1 = on), do I use TINYINT with a length of 1?</p>
  
  <p>My main question is, what does the LENGTH setting determine? As each NUMERIC data type already has their own associated data size.</p>
  
  <p>Also, what is the difference between SIGNED and UNSIGNED, and why should I choose one over the other?</p>