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David Portas wrote:
> "Thomas Kellerer" <FJIFALSDGVAF_at_spammotel.com> wrote in message
> news:5im5abF3p468kU1_at_mid.individual.net...
>>> I don't think that there is a similar "empty" concept for dates. >> That's my point. Character seems to be the only data were everybody >> requires the distinction between "nothing" and "empty" but nobody has ever >> requested this distinction for dates or numbers. >>
Allow me to second that.
We could debate without end on the philosophical merits of "empty" but
fact is that any programming language I have ever worked with makes a
distinction btw. NULL and '' string. Since every DBMS ultimately has to
interface with another programming language, the way Oracle treats
strings is bound to generate problems in some cases. (not to mention the
confusion it always generates)
cheers,
Martin
Received on Sat Aug 18 2007 - 05:53:16 CDT