[in2mobi]

I have a couple of database table in which I am wondering if it will be smarter to use ENUM() or VARCHAR. The information that will be stored in the fields will come from a html drop down list, so their are only so many possible answers. As of right now I am using ENUM() because it seems like it is a safer bet, but seeing as how the end user can only select an answer from a drop down list, I am thinking of switching the field to VARCHAR. One of my main concerns is how well does ENUM() fields carry over into other tables foreign keys. Any help on the positive and negatives of this move is greatly appreciated. Also, the database engine I am using for these tables is innodb, but I might also use some MYISAM tables. Thank You.

[job0107]

The way I understand it is, the ENUM field can contain multiple values which will pertain to all records,
where a VARCHAR field contains only one value that can be unique for each record.

So if you are storing only one value (could be unique) into the field then VARCHAR would be much easier.
But if you are using the ENUM field to store multiple values to select from,
then replacing the ENUM field would require a separate table that contains the multiple values.
In which case an ENUM field would be more efficient.
Unless you want each record to have a different set of values associated with it.
Then a separate table would probably be needed.