MySQL ENUM

Introduction of MySQL ENUM

ENUM is a datatype in MySQL. The column which is mentioned as ENUM datatype is a String object that can have only one value, which are chosen from the list of mentioned values. We can list up to 65535 values. A blank value will be inserted if a value is inserted that is not present in the list.

In this session we will learn about the ENUM data type with syntax along with the syntax: –

Syntax:

Let us see the syntax of how we create the column of ENUM datatype: –

create table<table_name>
(
Column_name1 ENUM(value1, value2,..),/ * - - -  ENUM Data type column - - - * /
Column_name2 ENUM(value1, value2,..),/ * - - -  ENUM Data type column - - - * /
.
.
.
);

Here the values for the “column_name1” and “column_name2” are one among the list specified.

Advantage:

• MySQL ENUM uses numeric indexes (1, 2, 3, . .) which represent the string values because of which it has compact data storage.
• It has queries readable which makes it as readable queries and output.

How does MySQL ENUM Works?

Let us see where the ENUM usually defined in the MySQL. If we check the list of all users the columns defined in the user table are mostly defined as a ENUM data type. Below are few columns for the same.

Field	Type	NULL	KEY	DEFAULT
Select_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Insert_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Update_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Delete_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Create_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Drop_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Reload_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Shutdown_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Process_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
File_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Grant_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
References_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Index_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Alter_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Show_db_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Super_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Create_tmp_table_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Lock_tables_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Execute_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Repl_slave_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Repl_client_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Create_view_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Show_view_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Create_routine_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Alter_routine_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Create_user_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Event_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Trigger_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
Create_tablespace_priv	enum(‘N’,’Y’)	NO		N
ssl_type	enum(”,’ANY’, ‘X509’, ‘SPECIFIED’)	NO

Let us consider simple example for the same: –

Table creation: –

create table Student_Sports_data
(
student_id int,
student_name varchar(20),
Tennis enum('Y','N'),/*---  ENUM Datatypecolumn---*/
Chess enum('Y','N'), /*---  ENUM Datatypecolumn---*/
Batminton enum('Y','N'),/*---  ENUM Datatypecolumn---*/
Cricket enum('Y','N'),/*---  ENUM Datatypecolumn---*/
Golf enum('Y','N'),/*---  ENUM Datatypecolumn---*/
Archery enum('Y','N'),/*---  ENUM Datatypecolumn---*/
Swimming enum('Y','N')/*---  ENUM Datatypecolumn---*/
);

Screenshot for the same: –

Let us insert data into the table: –

insert into student_sports_data values(1,'Sai','Y','Y','N','Y','Y','N','Y');
insert into student_sports_data values(2,'Ram','Y','Y','N','Y','Y','N','N');
insert into student_sports_data values(3,'Sam','Y','Y','NO','Y','Y','NO','N');
insert into student_sports_data values(4,'Hyung','Y','Y','N','Y','Y','N','NO');
insert into student_sports_data values(5,'So jioo','Y','Y','N','Y','Y','N','Y');
insert into student_sports_data values(6,'Malesha','Y','Y','No','Y','Y','NO','Y');
insert into student_sports_data values(7,'Will','Y','Y','NO','Y','Y','NO','N');
insert into student_sports_data values(8,'Haminton','Y','Y','N','Y','Y','N','N');
insert into student_sports_data values(9,'Mona','Y','Y','NO','Y','Y','YES','N');
insert into student_sports_data values(10,'Harry','Y','Y','N','Y','Y','N','N');

Select the items from the table: – Here the values inserted that are other than ‘Y’ and ‘N’ are represented as NULL.

select * from student_sports_data;

Output:

Example of MySQL ENUM

Let us consider another example as below and check the working of the ENUM.

Table creation:

create table Student_data
(
student_id int,
student_name varchar(20),
Grade enum('pass','fail') / * - - -  ENUM Data type column - - - * /
);

Screenshot for the same: –

Let us insert data into the table: –

insert into student_data values(1,'Sai','Pass');
insert into student_data values(2,'Ram','Fail');
insert into student_data values(3,'Sam','Pass');
insert into student_data values(4,'Hyung','Fail');
insert into student_data values(5,'So jioo','No');
insert into student_data values(6,'Malesha','No');
insert into student_data values(7,'Will','Pass');
insert into student_data values(8,'Haminton','Fail');
insert into student_data values(9,'Mona','Pass');
insert into student_data values(10,'Harry','Fail');

In the above insert we could see that there are two rows the values which we inserted into the table for the column “Grade” are other than “Pass” and “Fail”. So the value will be NULL.

select * from student_data;

Output:

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to MySQL ENUM. Here we also discuss the introduction and how does mysql enum works? along with an example and its code implementation. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

1. MySQL having
2. MySQL BLOB
3. MySQL today()
4. MySQL INSERT IGNORE