Re: Watch out for this one :o)

By the time it does, It'll be a tenner at least..

"Howard J. Rogers" <howardjr2000_at_yahoo.com.au> wrote:

>
>"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..."
>

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