Re: data cleansing question

Hello

There are a few considerations:

1. If you import the data using the loader you can use the NULLIF clause so it will import all zero field as null.
2. Check carefully for usage of the fields in the WHERE part of the SQL. Putting nulls instead of zero can cause the users to do outer joins.

Yechiel Adar
Mehish

• Original Message ----- To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L <ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com> Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 12:43 AM

> For those of you who have had to deal with data cleansing -
>
> I am working on importing mainframe data into Oracle. This unglamorous
job
> involves validating (and sometimes compensating for) what is bad data in
> Oracle's eyes but not on the mainframe - crazy crap like a date =
> 22/22/2022. I also find that the mainframe programs are padding null
fields
> with 0's.
>
> I wonder how many of you take the route of removing the zeros and storing
> null in that field? Some of the important numeric fields I think I'll
leave
> that way (past_due_amt, etc.) but several others in this 218-field table
are
> full of zeroes. My gut feel is to null out the insignificant 0'd out
fields
> - that I have pushed to the bottom of the table - to not only save space,
> but for data integrity. 0 in 75 fields means nothing to me or to anyone
> else, as far as I can tell.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Thanks everyone
>
> Lisa Koivu
> Oracle Database Hormone Dispenser.
> Fairfield Resorts, Inc.
> 954-935-4117
>
> --
> Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com
> --
> Author: Koivu, Lisa
> INET: lisa.koivu_at_efairfield.com
>
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-- 
Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com
-- 
Author: Yechiel Adar
  INET: adaryechiel_at_hotmail.com

Fat City Network Services    -- (858) 538-5051  FAX: (858) 538-5051
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