Explanation: Numbers can be compared in a single operation while string comparisons involve several byte by byte or character by character comparisons. As the strings become longer, the performance gets poor.

Explanation: In MySQL, the function used to convert an integer to a string is INET_NTOA(). On the other hand, the function INET_ATON() converts a string to the corresponding integer value.

Explanation: In MySQL, the function used to convert a string to an integer is INET_ATON(). On the other hand, the function INET_NTOA() converts a string to the corresponding integer value.

Explanation: In the variable length rows, there is more fragmentation of the table on which many deletes or updates are performed. OPTIMIZE TABLE is run periodically to maintain performance.

Explanation: The fixed length columns are faster and take more space. CHAR(n) columns take n characters per value because the values are padded with trailing spaces when stored in the table.

Explanation: In MySQL, the fixed length columns are faster and take more space. CHAR(n) columns take n characters per value because the values are padded with trailing spaces when stored in the table.

Explanation: In MySQL, because CHAR on average takes more space than VARCHAR, VARCHAR is preferred to be used to minimize the amount of the storage and disk I/O needed to process the rows.

Explanation: In MySQL, avoiding the NULL in columns may make the queries simpler, since it is not required to check for NULL as a special case. Simpler queries generally can be processed more quickly.

Explanation: The hash values can be generated by using the function: MD5(). SHA1() or CRC32() can also be used to do the same. Custom hash values can also be created using logic within the application.

Explanation: The IP addresses like 192.168.0.1 can be either stored as a string or a group of integers. Both of these forms would have their own benefits. For example, storing as a string would facilitate pattern matching.