# A Big Decision in Identity Selection: INTEGER or BINARY?

> Choosing an identity in the world of databases is not as simple as it may seem. In fact, the choice of each identity (or ID) is part of a much larger strategy. “Life is short, data types are long,” someone once said (of course, they didn't actually say it, but it would have been very cool if they had). This article leaves you face-to-face with the question “INTEGER or BINARY?” and aims to help you find the correct answer to it.

- Author: [Halit Yeşil](https://halityesil.com/en/)
- Published: 2025-01-08
- Language: English
- Canonical URL: https://halityesil.com/en/a-big-decision-in-identity-selection-integer-or-binary/
- Turkish version: https://halityesil.com/kimlik-seciminde-buyuk-karar-integer-mi-binary-mi.md
- Category: MySQL
- Tags: advantages and disadvantages of binary ID, advantages of auto increment, advantages of integer and binary IDs, best ID type for big data., binary ID performance, creating unique ID with UUID, database ID storage comparison, Database identity types, database performance optimization, ID selection for database scalability, ID selection for security, ID selection in database design, ID types for large-scale databases, integer or binary, integer vs binary comparison, integer vs UUID security differences, MySQL indexing and ID performance, MySQL UUID binary conversion, SQL auto increment integer usage guide, SQL data type selection, using MySQL binary ID, using UUID in databases, using UUID in distributed systems, UUID with MySQL binary database design, what is UUID and how to use it
- License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
- Cite as: Halit Yeşil. “A Big Decision in Identity Selection: INTEGER or BINARY?”. halityesil.com, 2025-01-08. https://halityesil.com/en/a-big-decision-in-identity-selection-integer-or-binary/

---

## Use of `INTEGER`: Simple and Effective, Just Like Neo's First Choices in "The Matrix"

### Advantages

**Performance:** The `INTEGER `data type is, in fact, "**as fast as Neo.**" It’s fixed in size, highly efficient, and performs well. This data type acts like a "**warrior**" in queries—both fast and effective.

**Less Storage Usage:** Using `INTEGER `is often like a student in the "**Data Warehouse Solutions 101**" class. **You can get by with just 4 bytes**. This generally allows you to use storage space in the most efficient way.

**Ease and Readability:** Seeing an `INTEGER `value is like the famous line from *The Godfather*: "**You can tell everything at a glance.**" This makes debugging much smoother. You can easily check and use it in queries whenever needed.

**Auto-Increment:** If your database has `AUTO_INCREMENT`, generating unique IDs for each record becomes like “**The Force**” in *Star Wars*—an automatic process. Just add new data, and the ID increments automatically.

### Every Rose Has Its Thorn:

**Scalability Limitations:** Did you know that `INTEGER `is limited to 2.1 billion? It’s a situation like what Thanos would think, "**Limits are always there.**" If you're working on a social media platform, this limit might be a barrier.

**Predictability:** With `INTEGER`, the order of IDs is predictable, which can make them guessable from the outside. "**Predictability... is a dangerous thing,**" says Spock in *Star Trek*. Indeed, this can be a security disadvantage in databases.

## Use of `BINARY`: Flexibility and Security, Just Like Batman’s Method of Protecting Gotham

### Advantages

**Uniqueness and Unpredictability:** `BINARY `data behaves like a "**mysterious hero.**" No one knows exactly what it is, but it’s always secure. Unique identifiers like UUIDs are harder to predict, providing a more robust option for security. "**Slow but steady.**" Just like Batman.

**Ideal for Distributed Systems:** If you're working in a distributed system, `BINARY `is perfect for you. "**Everyone has a role,**" says *The Avengers*. If you have many servers, UUIDs stay unique across all of them, preventing identity conflicts.

**Scalability:** If you have hundreds of millions of records, using `BINARY(16)` with UUID is like generating unique identifiers in "**a galaxy far, far away.**" You can create virtually infinite unique identifiers. (Well, almost infinite!)

### What did Caesar say? Et tu, Brute?

**Readability Issues:** Reading `BINARY `data is like "**solving an infinite puzzle**" (but solving it is tricky). People can't easily read these types of values. You need conversions to view the relevant data, which can make debugging more difficult.

**More Storage Space:** A `BINARY(16)` value like UUID takes up "**a handful of lightsabers**"—it occupies more space. **16 bytes** take up much more room compared to `INTEGER`’s 4 bytes.

**Performance Issues:** When querying with `BINARY`, operations like indexing and comparison might be a bit slower. "**Speed is not always important,**" says Yoda. But still, this can impact performance.

## Which Should Be Preferred in Which Case? (The Big Decision Moment)

### **`INTEGER `Should Be Preferred**

If you have small to medium-sized applications and prioritize performance, simplicity, and efficiency, "**The simplest solution is always the right one**" (but be cautious, this approach is generally valid for one-off tasks).

If you want to take advantage of the convenience of `AUTO_INCREMENT `and are looking for a "**fast, easy, and secure**" solution, `INTEGER `is a good choice.

### **`BINARY `Should Be Preferred**

If you're using distributed systems or working with large data sets, you might say, "**Working with small data is easy,**" but with large-scale projects, `BINARY `typically offers better performance.

If security is critical for you and identities need to be unpredictable, "**Anyone can be a hero,**" but keeping your identities secure is very important.

## How to Do It? (Runtime!)

```sql
CREATE TABLE users (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(100)
);
```

```sql
CREATE TABLE users (
    id BINARY(16) PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(100)
);

-- Storing UUID in BINARY(16) format
INSERT INTO users (id, name) 
VALUES (UNHEX(REPLACE(UUID(), '-', '')), 'John Doe');

-- Making UUID readable
SELECT HEX(id) AS readable_id FROM users;
```

## Resolution

You have a big decision to make! "**Be careful when choosing your identities.**" Both `INTEGER `and `BINARY `data types are designed to meet different needs. In small to medium-sized projects, `INTEGER `will generally suffice. However, when dealing with very large data sets, distributed systems, or security requirements, `BINARY `and unique identifiers like UUID might be a better option.

Ultimately, we can say, "**Each type has its time and place.**"

I hope this guide has helped you understand which data type best fits your needs. And remember, "**Don't get lost when choosing your data type!**"

> Did something cross your mind while reading this article? Or do you have an idea like, "We should also add this!"? **Feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions, and questions with me!**
> 
> **I'm particularly looking forward to your comments!** Your thoughts guide not only the development of this kind of content but also help others. So, harness the power of your keyboard and write! 😊