RE: DATE fields in RPG-IV -Reply

[David Morris <dmorris@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>> Vern Hamberg <hambergv@goldengate.net> 09/09 1:19 pm >>>

>>Might as well add my 3-cents. I think someone mentioned NULL values in
this thread. Is that an option? I mean, that's what NULL is for--something not
filled yet.  Maybe?

<<Null is unknown.  Supported with SQL and by DB2/400 with v3r7.  It is just
as easy (if not easier) to establish a standard that recognizes a "special
value".  However this could backfire just like numeric dates and the move/dur
opcodes in RPGIV.   If you are using SQL and want null to work as advertised
you will need to create tables with native support.  I would use alwnull in my
DDS and hope for better (and consistent between SQL and DDS) support in
the future.  If you don't want to or can't use system null support I would use a
single date handling interface and provide a function to return a null
representation.  That way in the future you can change your definition as
required.  More overhead, best risc.

3 cents plus 1

David Morris
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