Re[2]: slightly OT: visual c++ and null values

Stefan,

    I'll disagree. VC++ can handle null values, it's a question of whether or not the developer can handle them. I'll make the assumption that they are using PRO*C vs. OCI and during execution you do get an Oracle error stating that there is a null value if you do not handle it correctly. Many a developer and duhveloper is under the assumption that this is a language problem since Version 6 and early 7 handled this situation for you. Today you need the indicator value, but for the most part you can ignore the indicator's value since the <variable>.len parameter of a VARCHAR will be 0. Indicator variables really come into their own when your dialing with numeric data as that's the only way to handle retrieving or inserting nulls. Basically if the indicator is < 0 there is a null. PeopleSoft is rampant with this placing a single space in a character column to indicate a null.

Dick Goulet
Oracle certified 8i DBA
& Pro*C Evangelist

____________________Reply Separator____________________
Author: Stefan Jahnke <stefan.jahnke_at_d2vodafone.de>
Date:       10/19/01 6:05 AM

Hi,

sorry for the strong language, but the statement that VC++ isn't able to retrieve NULL values is plain bullshit.

| Regards,                   |
| Stefan Jahnke              |
| BOV AG                     |
| @:D2 Vodafone, Abt.: FBOM  |
| Tel.: 0211/533-4893        |
 ----------------------------

Maria Aurora VT de la Vega schrieb:
>
> hello!
>
> our developers here are requesting that I put defaults (' ' for
> chars/varchars, 0 for numbers, etc) in place instead of nulls in all
> columns that would supposedly allow null values...
> they are using visual c++ and they say that they cannot make visual c++
> retreive null values...
> i am very hesitant in implementing this...
> i have no knowledge whatsoever of visual c++ and don't know if this is
> true...
>
> i'd like to know if anyone had encountered this same problem before?
> or maybe someone can tell me if there is any truth to what our
> developers are saying...
>
> oracle817 on solaris7
>
> thanks =)
>
> --
> Maria Aurora VT de la Vega (OCP)
> Database Specialist
> Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.
>
> --
> Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com
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> Author: Maria Aurora VT de la Vega
> INET: mtdelavega_at_pse.org.ph
>
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Author: Stefan Jahnke
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