I have an integer column that is not needed for some rows in the table (whether it is necessary is a factor of other row attributes, and it isn't worth putting in a separate table).
What are the performance tradeoffs (storage space, query speed) of using a NULL enabled column versus a NOT-NULL column with a sentinel integer value?
Not that it matters, but in the event where the column values matter, the numberic value is a foreign key. Advice on that welcome too.
Thanks!
---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 9: the planner will ignore your desire to choose an index scan if your joining column's datatypes do not match
