Table Properties

MySQL manages tables using storage engines, each of which handles tables that have a given set of characteristics. Different storage engines have differing performance characteristics, and can be chosen based on which engine most closely matches the char acteristics that are needed. For example, a table may require transactional capabilities and guaranteed data in tegrity even if a crash occurs, or it may require a very fast lookup table stored in memory for which the contents can be lost in a crash and reloaded at the next server startup.  With MySQL, these choices can be made on a per-table basis. Any given table is managed by a particular storage engine.

Options can be added to the CREATE TABLE  command in order to control the manner in which the entire table is handled.

ENGINE={MyISAM | InnoDB | MEMORY}

•   Indicates the storage engine to be used for the table
•  MyISAM is the default storage engine (unless --default-storage-engine has been set)

COMMENT='<comment>'  

•  Up to 60 characters of free form text  

CHARACTER SET=<character set> 

• Specifies the character set for the table 
•   Precede with DEFAULT to assign the default character set
  
• Can be shortened to CHARSET  

COLLATE= <collation_name>

• Specifies the collation for the table
•  Precede with DEFAULT  to assign the default collation