confused on "where x=null"...

Of course, the proper form is "where x is null", but "where x=null" does not produce a diagnostic.

It also does not match any rows where x is null. Likewise, "where x=''" will not match any string column.

Can somebody explain to me what "x=null" means to Oracle? Is there ever a case where it will produce a meaningful answer?

Thanks!
Mark

-- 
Mark Harrison
Pixar Animation Studios