I want to create a database and a set of character sheets for a game I’m putting together. A lot of the values involve 2 different numbers, such as a type of die and a modifier.
Is there a standard data type that fits? Otherwise, is it usually better to use Text (VARCHAR) or to use 2 entries, each small integers (SMALLINT, though TINYINT would be a better fit if available)?
For storing two different pieces of information I’d say use two fields always.
This corresponds to fundamental relational database theory saying that “attributes to a relation must be single (not a list) atomic (not a set) values.” (1NF)
There may be situations where the single text field is the right choice, but this would depend on how the elements relate to the rest of your data and to your application of the data. I can’t think of any such situation.