what is better to remove a column or make it null in MySQL.

Mohammed Samgan Khan @msamgan

About: Love to code with a DRY KISS

Location:

USA

Joined:

Apr 23, 2019

Publish Date: Jul 13 '19

8 4

hi,

I am a bit confused, should I delete a column as the data in that col is not in use in the system or make it null so that the old data remains.

what's the better approach?

rhymesJul 13, 2019

If you are sure you don't need the data, do a backup and then drop the column
- Mohammed Samgan KhanJul 13, 2019
  
  drop - 1
  null - 0
  - rhymesJul 13, 2019
    
    You'll also avoid selecting the data in case of SELECT *
PankajJul 13, 2019

Agreed with rhymes. If you think you might need the data then keep/backup it otherwise remove the column. There is no point in keeping something that you won't use ever.