In MySQL MyISAM is the default storage engine. MyISAM tables store data values with the low byte first. Even though MyISAM tables are very reliable, corrupted tables can be expected if there is a hardware failure, the pc shuts down unexpectedly. MyISAM tables are reliable because any change made to a table is written before the sql statement returns. Even though MyISAM is the default storage engine it is advisable to specify ENGINE= MYISAM