title: Why should I use int instead of a byte or short in C#
body: <p>I have found a few threads in regards to this issue. Most people appear to favor using int in their c# code accross the board even if a byte or smallint would handle the data unless it is a mobile app. I don't understand why. Doesn't it make more sense to define your C# datatype as the same datatype that would be in your data storage solution?</p>
  
  <p>My Premise:
  If I am using a typed dataset, Linq2SQL classes, POCO, one way or another I will run into compiler datatype conversion issues if I don't keep my datatypes in sync across my tiers. I don't really like doing System.Convert all the time just because it was easier to use int accross the board in c# code. I have always used whatever the smallest datatype is needed to handle the data in the database as well as in code, to keep my interface to the database clean. So I would bet 75% of my C# code is using byte or short as opposed to int, because that is what is in the database. </p>
  
  <p>Possibilities:
  Does this mean that most people who just use int for everything in code also use the int datatype for their sql storage datatypes and could care less about the overall size of their database, or do they do system.convert in code wherever applicable?</p>
  
  <p>Why I care: I have worked on my own forever and I just want to be familiar with best practices and standard coding conventions.</p>