What are the advantages of using DATETIME data type in MySQL over storing timestamps as integers when working with PHP?

When working with MySQL and PHP, using the DATETIME data type for storing timestamps has several advantages over storing timestamps as integers. DATETIME data type allows for easier manipulation and comparison of dates and times directly within the database without the need for additional conversion functions in PHP. It also provides built-in functions for date arithmetic and formatting, making it more convenient to work with dates and times in queries. 

// Example of using DATETIME data type in MySQL
// Create a table with a DATETIME column
$query = "CREATE TABLE events (
            id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
            event_name VARCHAR(255),
            event_date DATETIME
          )";
          
// Insert a new event with a specific date
$query = "INSERT INTO events (event_name, event_date)
          VALUES ('Birthday Party', '2022-05-20 15:00:00')";

// Retrieve events that are after a certain date
$query = "SELECT * FROM events
          WHERE event_date > '2022-06-01'";

Keywords

PHP MySQL DATETIME data type timestamps integers

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