How to deal with integer that can be null in sql server?

[TomislaW]

I have integers in my database that can be null. I read them with
SqlDataReader and show them to Repeater. Since integer can not be null in
c#, I set null integer to -1. My project is 3-tier and it is very
complicated to check in data tier if it is null set -1, then in business
tier if it is -1 do not calculate with him and then in presentation tier "do
not show if it is -1". Is there any better solution for that?

[Miha Markic [MVP C#]]

Hi Tomislav,

Maybe this link can help you:
http://nullabletypes.sourceforge.net

--
Miha Markic [MVP C#] - RightHand .NET consulting & development
SLODUG - Slovene Developer Users Group
www.rthand.com

"TomislaW" <to*********@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%2******************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

I have integers in my database that can be null. I read them with
SqlDataReader and show them to Repeater. Since integer can not be null in
c#, I set null integer to -1. My project is 3-tier and it is very
complicated to check in data tier if it is null set -1, then in business
tier if it is -1 do not calculate with him and then in presentation tier
"do not show if it is -1". Is there any better solution for that?

[Paul E Collins]

"TomislaW" <to*********@hotmail.com> wrote:

I have integers in my database that can be null.
[...]
Since integer can not be null in c#, I set null integer to -1.

Use SqlInt32 (in System.Data.SqlTypes) and SqlInt32.Null.

P.

[Ignacio Machin \( .NET/ C# MVP \)]

Hi,

No really, no matter what you do you will have to check for a "null" it
does not matter if the "null" is -1 or null.

You would have to do the same thing even if a null value was available, you
would have to check by null before any operation.

nothing that a simple if can't solve. :)

Cheers,

--
Ignacio Machin,
ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department Of Transportation

"TomislaW" <to*********@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%2******************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

I have integers in my database that can be null. I read them with
SqlDataReader and show them to Repeater. Since integer can not be null in
c#, I set null integer to -1. My project is 3-tier and it is very
complicated to check in data tier if it is null set -1, then in business
tier if it is -1 do not calculate with him and then in presentation tier
"do not show if it is -1". Is there any better solution for that?

[TomislaW]

I decide to use SqlDataReader and asp:Repeater because of speed.

If I checking asp:Repeater on ItemDataBound I loose that speed, where to
check for nulls?

Is it better solution to build asp:Table in code behind?


"Ignacio Machin ( .NET/ C# MVP )" <ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us> wrote
in message news:e2**************@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

Hi,

No really, no matter what you do you will have to check for a "null" it
does not matter if the "null" is -1 or null.

You would have to do the same thing even if a null value was available,
you would have to check by null before any operation.

nothing that a simple if can't solve. :)

Cheers,

--
Ignacio Machin,
ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department Of Transportation

"TomislaW" <to*********@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%2******************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

I have integers in my database that can be null. I read them with
SqlDataReader and show them to Repeater. Since integer can not be null in
c#, I set null integer to -1. My project is 3-tier and it is very
complicated to check in data tier if it is null set -1, then in business
tier if it is -1 do not calculate with him and then in presentation tier
"do not show if it is -1". Is there any better solution for that?

[Ignacio Machin \( .NET/ C# MVP \)]

Hi,

I decide to use SqlDataReader and asp:Repeater because of speed.

This has nothing to do with the subject at hand the problem will exist no
matter what you use to show your data.
If I checking asp:Repeater on ItemDataBound I loose that speed, where to
check for nulls?
You could define a method that return the string you want to use to show
null, below is an example of such a construction from a datagrid

<ItemTemplate>
<asp:Label ID="lbl_inc_identification" Text=<%# FormatID(
Container.DataItem("inc_identification") )%> Runat="server"></asp:Label>
</ItemTemplate>

in the code behind:

protected string FormatID( object o)
{
if ( ( int)o == -1 )
return "N/A";
return o.ToString();
}
Is it better solution to build asp:Table in code behind?
Absolutly not !
Cheers,

--
Ignacio Machin,
ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department Of Transportation


"Ignacio Machin ( .NET/ C# MVP )" <ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us>
wrote in message news:e2**************@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

Hi,

No really, no matter what you do you will have to check for a "null" it
does not matter if the "null" is -1 or null.

You would have to do the same thing even if a null value was available,
you would have to check by null before any operation.

nothing that a simple if can't solve. :)

Cheers,

--
Ignacio Machin,
ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department Of Transportation

"TomislaW" <to*********@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%2******************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

I have integers in my database that can be null. I read them with
SqlDataReader and show them to Repeater. Since integer can not be null in
c#, I set null integer to -1. My project is 3-tier and it is very
complicated to check in data tier if it is null set -1, then in business
tier if it is -1 do not calculate with him and then in presentation tier
"do not show if it is -1". Is there any better solution for that?