Re: NULL versus NOT NULL usage
Date: 1998/06/01
Message-ID: <mjrEtuJ37.FKr_at_netcom.com>#1/1
In article <01bd8ced$70ff01a0$4b36a8c0_at_ctmnnt022b>,
RABK <rkarl_at_consultec-inc.com> wrote:
>I am researching the benefits of NOT NULL versus NULL datatypes and am
>interested in the viewpoints of the exp dba, client developers.
>
>Describe the benefits of using a table that has NOT NULL versus a NULL data
>type.
>
>Do NULLS in general cause more heartache for client developers? Why?
>
>Do NOT NULL save enormous amounts of space.
>
>What issues arise from querying fields that have NULLS in them?
>
>
As always it depends on what tools you are using. Obviously they must support nulls (not all do). Also nulls in key fields require that outer-joins be used instead of equi-joins. Some data bases can only do outer-joins in one direction so that also requires some fore thought and the use of Null Value Logic (NVL) functions.
mjr Received on Mon Jun 01 1998 - 00:00:00 CEST