[ExtremeGuy]

I would like to know your opinion:

I have been using PHP and MySQL for a handfull of years now and have created many databases. I am a little confused over which

way to save country and state information in tables. I have done it a few different ways and was wondering if there is an

unwritten standard that works better than another.

Here are the ways that I have done it in the past with US states:
1) The full state's name (ie. New Hampshire)
2) The state's abbreviation (ie. NH)
3) An id # for the state which is defined in an include file (ie. 28)

So, do most people use one of these methods, and if so which one?

Thanks!

[Eclipse]

i'd say way 2 is the best or just use postal codes