Which SQL data type would you typically use for storing binary data?

The binary data type is specifically designed for storing raw binary data in a database. This can include various forms of data such as images, audio files, documents, or any other type of data that is not best represented as text or numbers. Using the binary data type ensures that the data is stored in its original binary form without any conversion or alteration, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the data when retrieving it later.

In contrast, text data types are meant for character string values and can lead to data corruption or loss if binary data is improperly stored in them. The date data type is intended for temporal information, while the Boolean data type is used to represent true/false values, neither of which is suitable for binary data formats. Therefore, the binary data type is the most appropriate and effective choice for handling binary data in SQL databases.