title: What is this error? "Database query failed: Data truncated for column 'column_name' at row 1
body: <p>I'm building a PHP/MySQL application and I'm running into a problem with my create and update query. I have 5 columns that are set to type FLOAT that are also set as NULL columns. I don't plan to fill them in until much later in the workflow. </p>
  
  <p>However, I need to create new records for this database, and I need to edit existing records, without touching these 5 float fields at all. I'm using OOP PHP that uses a standard <code>save()</code> method that checks to see if an ID exists in the object. If not, it calls <code>create()</code>, and if so, it calls <code>update()</code>. It works very well, usually.</p>
  
  <p>The <code>update()</code> and <code>create()</code> methods are designed to pull from a <code>protected static $db_fields</code> attribute array declared at the top of each Class, that contains all of the fields used in that table. <code>update()</code> and <code>create()</code> run through that array and either <code>INSERT INTO</code> or <code>UPDATE</code> in SQL, accordingly.</p>
  
  <p>My understanding is that if you use <code>''</code> (two single quotes, empty), SQL will skip those <code>INSERT INTO</code> or <code>UPDATE</code> requests and leave them as NULL. There aren't even form fields for those 5 float values anywhere on the page, so of course when the methods run, the values are going to be <code>''</code>. </p>
  
  <p>Is that why I'm getting the "Data truncated" error? It seems different -- I haven't seen the truncated error before and that's why I'm coming to you geniuses. Thanks.</p>