comparing null values

From: Gary Jackson <fred_fred_1_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 09:41:57 -0800
Message-ID: <F001.0053F103.20030130094157@fatcity.com>

Can anyone explain why it is that I seem unable to use 'like' and 'not like' on columns containing null values. (I am unable to find information regarding this on MetaLink.)

For example:

SQL> select * from tester2;

COL1 COL2 WHATEVER
---- ---- --------
1 1 STUFF
2 2 STUFF
3 3
4 4

SQL> select * from tester2 where whatever not like '%STU%'; no rows selected

My question is why does this not return the 3 & 4 columns?

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Author: Gary Jackson
  INET: fred_fred_1_at_hotmail.com

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