Re: null capable fields

Blank or 0 are generally within the valid domain of letters/numerals whereas
Null is specifically designed to mean Unknown or not entered. Also some data
types are unable to take all zeros (Date, Time and TimeStamp) so to
represent a unknown value requires one to use Null or *Loval or *Hival. The
AS/400's Null support is just fine. RPG could make it a bit easier, although
I am not sure how. Personally I do not have trouble checking the Null
attribute on a field, but I am used to putting up with suboptimal solutions.

Shalom
Eric

______________________________________________
Eric N. Wilson
President
Doulos Software & Computer Services
2913 N Alder St
Tacoma WA 98407


----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Lazarus <mlazarus@ttec.com>
To: <RPG400-L@midrange.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 1999 10:43 PM
Subject: Re: null capable fields


> Jon,
>
> At 02:18 PM 9/6/99 -0400, you wrote:
> >Simple fact of the
> >matter is that most people don't even know such things exist. Of those
> that do,
> >a large percentage don't see the point in using them.  Even among SQL
users
> >(where it really makes sense tom use them) I've found that most people
often
> >don't use them.
>
>  On the /400, since the automatic null support is weak, there's little
> reason to use it.  Traditionally, a blank or 0 value field means no value
> or invalid value.  This is the assumption and the applications were
> designed to assume that.  What would null support give you that a blank /
> *zero value wouldn't?
>
>  -mark
>
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