title: varchar or decimal data type for minutes, seconds, milliseconds
body: <p>I have a MySQL database table with cross country running times in it. I am at a fork in the road and questioning whether I should convert the current datatype for the running times (varchar) to a decimal. </p>
  
  <p>The one aspect which attracts me to the varchar datatype is that I don't have to convert the incoming running results (parsed via a php script) to seconds and then back again when it is retrieved dynamically. My processing script ensures that each time is 8 characters long unless an athlete DNFs (Did not finish) which is also information that I'd like to store. The DNF appears as "DNF" in the results.</p>
  
  <p>So should a running time be stored as 17:40.57 or 1060.57? What are the advantages and disadvantages to each? Is there a better datatype than what I have already assumed as the correct types?</p>
  
  <p>Also, if you elect 1060.57 as your answer, then how would I logically store DNFs or DNSs?</p>