I am using a MySQL database to store information on machines on the network. I have one table that contains the core information, determining whether to probe the machines for more information. The main piece of data I would like to use is a timestamp. And be able to then do date comparisions. If the timestamp greater than a given date.

What I want to know is that if I take the value from the MySQL timestamp I should be able to treat it like an integer. It is stored in a format that as time moves in the future the appeared value is always greater.

This seems like the most efficient way to process this data. But having little experience with timestamps and knowing the experience out there. Can anyone suggest a better approach.

Sorry about the lack of code I am designing it now and just wonder what is the best way to dig into it. My searches on it seem to give varied resulsts and most are concerned with converting the timestamp for display. Thank you in advance.

UpdateKey is a bad choice of words. Key as in key to the probelm.

The first paragraph has been redone it was:
I am using a MySQL database to store information on machines on the network. I have one table that contains the key information determining whether to probe the machines for more information. The key I would like to use is a timestamp. And be able to then to date comparisons. Has this machine been scanned since date foo set in the program.

In reply to MySQL Timestamp comparison by Ninthwave

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