When transitioning from an Access database or in general, what is the recommended method for establishing a boolean field representing yes/no values in SQL Server?
in sql server, you’d use the bit data type. it’s equivalent to boolean in other databases, storing 0 for false and 1 for true. But keep in mind it doesn’t accept NULL values directly, which can be sometimes necessary for your app logic! Cheers.
When defining a boolean field in SQL Server, aside from using the bit data type, which is the conventional method for representing true/false values, there might be scenarios where you need to account for additional states, such as unknown or not applicable. In such cases, using an integer with constraints can be helpful, allowing for values like 0 for false, 1 for true, and another integer for unknown. This approach gives added flexibility for more complex data representations.
Have you ever tried using ENUM in your databases to handle such scenarios? I wonder if it offers any benefits or if the “bit” type is always superior. How does everyone here generally manage unknown values in SQL Server tables without affecting performance? Curious to learn others’ approach!
Well, if you’re looking for something simple and efficient, bit is usually the way to go. But remember, using nullable bits (like JumpingBear mentioned) can handle unknown values too, just by allowing NULLs. It’s about keeping the queries straightforward if possible!