Both INT and BIGINT are exact numeric data types, used for storing integer value. Below table lists out the major difference between INT and BIGINT Data Types.

[ALSO READ] TINYINT Vs SMALLINT

DECLARE @i INT
SET @i = 150
PRINT @i

DECLARE @i BIGINT
SET @i = 150
PRINT @i

DECLARE @i INT
SET @i = 150
PRINT DATALENGTH( @i)

DECLARE @i BIGINT
SET @i = 150
PRINT DATALENGTH( @i)

DECLARE @i INT
SET @i = 2147483648
PRINT @i

DECLARE @i BIGINT
SET @i = 2147483648
PRINT @i

DECLARE @i INT
SET @i = -150
PRINT @i

DECLARE @i BIGINT
SET @i = -150
PRINT @i

[ALSO READ] SMALLINT Vs INT

Selecting the correct data type while creating a table is very critical. In-correct selection of the data type will result in performance and storage issues over the time as the data grows. As in-correct selection of data type results requiring more storage space to store and no. of records stored in each data page will be less. And on top if index is created on such columns, it not only takes the extra space in storing the value in a row in the data page but also requires extra space in the index. Less the no. of records stored in the data page, then to serve the queries Sql Server needs to load more no. of data pages to the memory. So, it is very crucial to select the correct data type while creating table. Hope the above differences will help you in selecting the correct data type while creating the table.

ALSO READ

• Varchar vs NVarchar
• Varchar vs Varchar(MAX)
• Char vs Varchar
• Text vs Varchar(Max)
• Union vs Union All
• DateTime vs DateTime2
• SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON vs SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER OFF
• Stored Procedure vs User Defined Function
• Primary Key vs Unique Key
• RAISERROR vs THROW
• Temporary Table vs Table Variable
• Len() vs Datalength()
• Sequence vs Identity
• DATEDIFF vs DATEDIFF_BIG
• LEFT JOIN vs LEFT OUTER JOIN
• RIGHT JOIN vs RIGHT OUTER JOIN
• JOIN vs INNER JOIN
• LEFT OUTER JOIN vs RIGHT OUTER JOIN
• SMALLDATETIME vs DATETIME