Re: Watch out for this one :o)

From: Howard J. Rogers <howardjr2000_at_yahoo.com.au>
Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2002 07:53:59 +1000
Message-ID: <ahkj85$g5a$1@lust.ihug.co.nz>

"Connor McDonald" <connor_mcdonald_at_yahoo.com> wrote in message news:3D3DC463.29A6_at_yahoo.com...
> Niall Litchfield wrote:
> >
> > Here's the problem I have with this behaviour. You will note that I put
bug
> > in * characters as I know that this is the behaviour I just can't
justify
> > it. The result from Pl/SQL is correct given the behaviour of SQL.
> >
> > How do we sum? answer start at zero and add the value of each of the
items
> > in the series to a running total till we get to the end. If we have no
> > values in the series the answer would be on this understanding zero NOT
not
> > known.
> >
> > Take the following scenario:
> > You go down to the shops. You buy nothing at all? how much have you
spent?
> > Answer according to this behaviour of Oracle. "I don't know". Answer
> > according to me. "Nothing."
> >
> > --
> > Niall Litchfield
> > Oracle DBA
> > Audit Commission UK
> > *****************************************
> > Please include version and platform
> > and SQL where applicable
> > It makes life easier and increases the
> > likelihood of a good answer
> > ******************************************
> > "Vladimir M. Zakharychev" <bob_at_dpsp-yes.com> wrote in message
> > news:ahhfu5$qdc$1_at_babylon.agtel.net...
> > > > So it seems to me that the *bug* is not in PL/SQL but SQL, given
that
> > surely
> > > > the answer is zero.
> > >
> > > Surely the answer is NULL (interpreted as "I don't know as there was
no
> > > data to sum"). :)
> > >
> > > --
> > > Vladimir Zakharychev (bob_at_dpsp-yes.com)
> > http://www.dpsp-yes.com
> > > Dynamic PSP(tm) - the first true RAD toolkit for Oracle-based internet
> > applications.
> > > All opinions are mine and do not necessarily go in line with those of
my
> > employer.
> > >
> > >

>

> (Strictly from a philosophical perspective) I actually agree with the
> SQL definition...

>

> If someone tells me "I'm about to give you a list of numbers to add up",
> I don't scribble down '0' on a piece of paper in order to add the
> subsequent numbers, I don't write down anything until the first number
> comes along...

>

> Similarly, if (before any numbers are presented), someone says "What is
> the total so far", I'd probably reply with "Nothing! You ain't given me
> none" (as opposed to) "zero".

>

At which point I'd clip you round the ear for propogating double negatives.

And for using the word "ain't" when you meant to use the contraction "haven't".

Natural language queries: God bless 'em!

"'ere! 'Ow much fura pind o' sprahts?"

I'm looking forward to the day when SQL*Plus returns the results: "That'll be a fiver, love"

Regards
HJR
> :-)

>

> Cheers
> Connor
> --
> ==============================
> Connor McDonald

>

> http://www.oracledba.co.uk

>
> "Some days you're the pigeon, some days you're the statue..."
Received on Tue Jul 23 2002 - 16:53:59 CDT