CQL provides a rich set of built-in data types, including collection types. Along with these data types, users can also create their own custom data types. The following table provides a list of built-in data types available in CQL.
| Data Type | Constants | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ascii | strings | Represents ASCII character string |
| bigint | bigint | Represents 64-bit signed long |
| blob | blobs | Represents arbitrary bytes |
| Boolean | booleans | Represents true or false |
| counter | integers | Represents counter column |
| decimal | integers, floats | Represents variable-precision decimal |
| double | integers | Represents 64-bit IEEE-754 floating point |
| float | integers, floats | Represents 32-bit IEEE-754 floating point |
| inet | strings | Represents an IP address, IPv4 or IPv6 |
| int | integers | Represents 32-bit signed int |
| text | strings | Represents UTF8 encoded string |
| timestamp | integers, strings | Represents a timestamp |
| timeuuid | uuids | Represents type 1 UUID |
| uuid | uuids | Represents type 1 or type 4 |
| UUID | ||
| varchar | strings | Represents uTF8 encoded string |
| varint | integers | Represents arbitrary-precision integer |
Collection Types
Cassandra Query Language also provides a collection data types. The following table provides a list of Collections available in CQL.
| Collection | Description |
|---|---|
| list | A list is a collection of one or more ordered elements. |
| map | A map is a collection of key-value pairs. |
| set | A set is a collection of one or more elements. |
User-defined datatypes
Cqlsh provides users a facility of creating their own data types. Given below are the commands used while dealing with user defined datatypes.
- CREATE TYPE − Creates a user-defined datatype.
- ALTER TYPE − Modifies a user-defined datatype.
- DROP TYPE − Drops a user-defined datatype.
- DESCRIBE TYPE − Describes a user-defined datatype.
- DESCRIBE TYPES − Describes user-defined datatypes.