What are alternatives to deleting data?

When it comes to managing data in MySQL, there are several alternatives to permanently deleting data. Instead of deleting data, you can consider using the following methods:

  • Soft Deletes: Instead of removing records, you can add a 'deleted' flag to indicate that the record is no longer active.
  • Archiving: Move data to an archive table for historical reference instead of deleting it entirely.
  • Truncating: If you need to remove all records from a table but keep the structure, use the TRUNCATE statement.
  • Data Masking: Mask sensitive information instead of deleting it, ensuring compliance while retaining the structure.

These alternatives not only help in data management but also ensure that you can recover or reference historical data when needed.


MySQL Soft Deletes Data Management Archiving Data Masking