using converting string to tinyint (bool) with mysql

Question

Is there a way, using a TRIGGER or preferably some MySql function I'm not aware of, to automatically assign the value of a TINYINT column to '1' if ANY value is passed into it?

For example if I have columnA ( TINYINT ) and I INSERT "doggybones" into that column:

INSERT INTO mytable (columnA) VALUES ("doggybones")

... then mysql would automatically assign a value of "1" to columnA instead of kicking up an error about trying to stick a string into a TINYINT column?

It should also work so that if I insert "" - a blank value but the INSERT statement will still list it, like so:

INSERT INTO mytable (columnA) VALUES ("")

... then the column will receive a value of 0.

Note: I know I could filter my values to just INSERT 0's and 1's but I'm wondering if there is a way to do this on the mysql side.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, SQL (all flavours) enforce data types strictly.
This happens before any trigger code runs.

You'll have to test for "" (empty string)