14.1.1.1 Integer Types

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14.1.1.1.1 Fixed-Length Integer Types

14.1.1.1.2 Length-Encoded Integer Type

The MySQL Protocol has a set of possible encodings for integers:

• Fixed-length integers

• Length-encoded integers

14.1.1.1.1 Fixed-Length Integer Types

Protocol::FixedLengthInteger

A fixed-length integer stores its value in a series of bytes with the least significant byte first.

• int<1>

• int<2>

• int<3>

• int<4>

• int<6>

• int<8>

Example

A int<3> with the value 1 is stored as:

01 00 00

14.1.1.1.2 Length-Encoded Integer Type

Protocol::LengthEncodedInteger

An integer that consumes 1, 3, 4, or 9 bytes, depending on its numeric value

To convert a number value into a length-encoded integer:

• If the value is < 251, it is stored as a 1-byte integer.

• If the value is ≥ 251 and < (2¹⁶), it is stored as fc + 2-byte integer.

• If the value is ≥ (2¹⁶) and < (2²⁴), it is stored as fd + 3-byte integer.

• If the value is ≥ (2²⁴) and < (2⁶⁴) it is stored as fe + 8-byte integer.

Note

Up to MySQL 3.22, 0xfe was followed by a 4-byte integer.

To convert a length-encoded integer into its numeric value, check the first byte:

• If it is < 0xfb, treat it as a 1-byte integer.

• If it is 0xfc, it is followed by a 2-byte integer.

• If it is 0xfd, it is followed by a 3-byte integer.

• If it is 0xfe, it is followed by a 8-byte integer.

Caution

If the first byte of a packet is a length-encoded integer and its byte value is 0xfe, you must check the length of the packet to verify that it has enough space for a 8-byte integer.

If not, it may be an EOF_Packet instead.

Depending on the context, the first byte may also have other meanings:

• If it is 0xfb, it is represents a NULL in a ProtocolText::ResultsetRow.

• If it is 0xff and is the first byte of an ERR_Packet

Caution

0xff as the first byte of a length-encoded integer is undefined.

Implemented By

int<lenenc>

Example

fa       -- 250
fc fb 00 -- 251