When to use NULL as default value

[Charles Kline]

Hi all,

I pretty much set a fields default value to NULL if it not a "required"
field in my app. Just wondering if this is the way to go since I just
sort of guessed at this method ;)

- Charles
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[swdev1]

Charles - the answer is -
it depends .
For example - if you are using a report tool that actually shows the .NULL.
value in the report,
your users probably won't want this. Its a lot of extra coding in your
report tool to make that go away, and you won't know exactly all of the
columns you want to apply the null rule to on your report tool without some
trial runs. IF you make default some white space, or a zero [depending on
the data type] in your fields default value in the mySQL table, then you
have removed some extra work time for you or another programmer come time to
do the report work.
On the other hand, checking for nulls in code, the regular way, is thereby
changed when you are using whitespace, and its a PITA .... ISNULL doesn't
work anymore [wah!!!]

let me know your thoughts ??
mondo regards [Bill]

--
William Sanders / Electronic Filing Group Remove the DOT BOB to reply via
email.
FREE LONG DISTANCE -> mailto:ex********@efgroup.net
mySql / VFP / MS-SQL
"Charles Kline" <ck****@rightcode.net> wrote in message
news:bi***********@FreeBSD.csie.NCTU.edu.tw...

Hi all,

I pretty much set a fields default value to NULL if it not a "required"
field in my app. Just wondering if this is the way to go since I just
sort of guessed at this method ;)

- Charles
--
MySQL General Mailing List
For list archives: http://lists.mysql.com/mysql
To unsubscribe: http://lists.mysql.com/my***********...ie.nctu.edu.tw

[swdev1]

Charles - the answer is -
it depends .
For example - if you are using a report tool that actually shows the .NULL.
value in the report,
your users probably won't want this. Its a lot of extra coding in your
report tool to make that go away, and you won't know exactly all of the
columns you want to apply the null rule to on your report tool without some
trial runs. IF you make default some white space, or a zero [depending on
the data type] in your fields default value in the mySQL table, then you
have removed some extra work time for you or another programmer come time to
do the report work.
On the other hand, checking for nulls in code, the regular way, is thereby
changed when you are using whitespace, and its a PITA .... ISNULL doesn't
work anymore [wah!!!]

let me know your thoughts ??
mondo regards [Bill]

--
William Sanders / Electronic Filing Group Remove the DOT BOB to reply via
email.
FREE LONG DISTANCE -> mailto:ex********@efgroup.net
mySql / VFP / MS-SQL
"Charles Kline" <ck****@rightcode.net> wrote in message
news:bi***********@FreeBSD.csie.NCTU.edu.tw...

Hi all,

I pretty much set a fields default value to NULL if it not a "required"
field in my app. Just wondering if this is the way to go since I just
sort of guessed at this method ;)

- Charles
--
MySQL General Mailing List
For list archives: http://lists.mysql.com/mysql
To unsubscribe: http://lists.mysql.com/my***********...ie.nctu.edu.tw

[swdev1]

Charles - the answer is -
it depends .
For example - if you are using a report tool that actually shows the .NULL.
value in the report,
your users probably won't want this. Its a lot of extra coding in your
report tool to make that go away, and you won't know exactly all of the
columns you want to apply the null rule to on your report tool without some
trial runs. IF you make default some white space, or a zero [depending on
the data type] in your fields default value in the mySQL table, then you
have removed some extra work time for you or another programmer come time to
do the report work.
On the other hand, checking for nulls in code, the regular way, is thereby
changed when you are using whitespace, and its a PITA .... ISNULL doesn't
work anymore [wah!!!]

let me know your thoughts ??
mondo regards [Bill]

--
William Sanders / Electronic Filing Group Remove the DOT BOB to reply via
email.
FREE LONG DISTANCE -> mailto:ex********@efgroup.net
mySql / VFP / MS-SQL
"Charles Kline" <ck****@rightcode.net> wrote in message
news:bi***********@FreeBSD.csie.NCTU.edu.tw...

Hi all,

I pretty much set a fields default value to NULL if it not a "required"
field in my app. Just wondering if this is the way to go since I just
sort of guessed at this method ;)

- Charles
--
MySQL General Mailing List
For list archives: http://lists.mysql.com/mysql
To unsubscribe: http://lists.mysql.com/my***********...ie.nctu.edu.tw