Re: Warning about null and open question to Oracle

Null by definition is "not equal" to anything, including another null. Another way to think about it is to replace the word "null" with
"unknown". How can any one "unknown" be said to be equal to another
"unknown"? <g>

Fortunately there is a simple potential solution to your problem. Simply use the Oracle function NVL to test both sides of the equation. For example:

If NVL(col1,'XXX') <> NVL(col2,'XXX') then < update >;

Replace the token 'XXX' with something that should never occur in your data, and you should be set. Hope that this helps!

Dave Rathbun
Integra Solutions
Dallas, TX
DRathbun_at_AOL.com Received on Mon Jun 12 1995 - 00:00:00 CEST