RE: RPG SQL and database null values

I could see one use. The IFULL would only operate on the null field and set a value. The null indicator could be used to do something special to another field.
IF fieldA = NULL then fieldB = '*DEFAULT"
IFNULL would probably work in 99% of the cases where it is needed.

I have to deal about 5 tables with a total of about 200 fields. Defining a null indicator field for each and doubling the FETCH command to read both would be a pain. So for me I am going to try the IFULL function and hopefully save myself some finger cramps.

p.s. sure wish database designers would think before using the default of NULL and only allow nulls where they actually make sense

-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Robert Mullis
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 5:52 PM
To: rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: RPG SQL and database null values

How is using a null indicator more appropriate than IFNULL or COALESCE?

On 10/4/2010 5:15 PM, Scott Klement wrote:

Hi Mike,

The ALWNULL option is for RPG's native I/O functions (i.e. F-spec
files) it's not related to embedded SQL.

For embedded SQL, you might use IFNULL/COALESCE as others have
suggested, or simply define a null indicator and handle null values
appropriately.



On 10/4/2010 3:38 PM, Mike Cunningham wrote:

Is there an easy way to deal with null values being read by RPG using
embedded SQL? I can't get by the -305 error when there is a null
value coming in. ALWNULL(*INPUTONLY) has already been tried and did
not help. I do not need to know when a field is null in this
application. Getting the default value for the field type will be OK
in my situation. Is the null indicator variable the only way?

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