Storing time and search

[Aadlene Lexon]

Hi all,

I am creating database tables in MySql where I need to store time(date is not mandatory) and need to produce search results depending upon the input given using stored procedures. I would like to know the best way of storing "Time" in MySql database and also it should be
efficient when I am going for a search.

Below are 2 options which I thought it might work file. Please let me know if you guys have good suggestions related this.


1. storing just the time (i.e. 20:34) as varchar and trying to find the appropriate records by converting the actual time provided by the user
to varchar.

2. storing time as datetime(i.e. 2001-01-01 10:34:34 AM) and manipulating it to obtain time from it to compare it with the actual time provided
by the user.

Thanks