What does default '0' mean?

**Googly** · Jan 28, 2005 04:09

In the following SQL what does the default '0' mean?

Code:

 category_name varchar(50) NOT NULL default '0',

**jb007irl** · Jan 28, 2005 04:24

Originally Posted by Googly

In the following SQL what does the default '0' mean?

Code:

 category_name varchar(50) NOT NULL default '0',

Think it means that because your category_name field cannot be NULL that you mush give it a default value and that value is set to 0.

**Dan Morgan** · Jan 28, 2005 04:31

Exactly - if you do not enter anything for that field when creating a new row it will have a default value of zero.

**Googly** · Jan 28, 2005 04:39

And if you don't set this value to default '0' what happens when you insert a row?

**Dan Morgan** · Jan 28, 2005 04:50

If you do not set a value MYSQL will automatically insert a zero for you.

**Googly** · Jan 28, 2005 04:53

So in MySql it's not really needed?

**Dan Morgan** · Jan 28, 2005 04:58

It depends on your particular requirements for you database whether you use it - it is a feature which can be used or not - your choice!

**Googly** · Jan 28, 2005 05:13

ok thanks

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