Best way to handle Null values

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Best way to handle Null values

Cheryl McLaughlin-385812

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Points: 928
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October 11, 2012 at 3:11 pm

#283008

I need to write a script that I carry a variable for the order number. However, that field may be null for several records. How do I created a sql statement that knows what to use? Simplified example code:
Declare
@OrdNbr CoNumType
Select order_nbr, field1, field2, field3
from table
where order_nbr = @Ord_nbr
So, if the value @ordNbr is null I need to temporarily add a value like 'xxxxx' so that record is the only one to print when the user hits the print button. If it is not null then use the value in the field.
I did not know if it was possible or if I could somehow use a case statement....any help would be appreciated.

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Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286609 More actions · Answer 1

where order_nbr = isnull(@Ord_nbr, 'xxxx') maybe????

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Cheryl McLaughlin-385812 SSC Eights! Points: 928 More actions · Answer 2

It works too a point, but it pulls all the records. If I substitute @Ord_Nbr ='12345' the script still pulls all the records and not the record that is = to '12345'

Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286609 More actions · Answer 3

Cheryl McLaughlin-385812 (10/11/2012)
It works too a point, but it pulls all the records. If I substitute @Ord_Nbr ='12345' the script still pulls all the records and not the record that is = to '12345'

Do you want all rows where is it either '123345' OR NULL?

That would be something like:

where order_nbr = @Ord_nbr

OR order_nbr is null

_______________________________________________________________

Need help? Help us help you.

Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.

Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.

Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/

The Dixie Flatline SSC Guru Points: 53354 More actions · Answer 4

If I understand you, you want to have a default value to be returned whenever no value is specified.

Select order_nbr, field1, field2, field3

from table

where order_nbr = isnull(@Ord_nbr,'xxxxxx')

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SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281344 More actions · Answer 5

The Dixie Flatline (10/11/2012)
If I understand you, you want to have a default value to be returned whenever no value is specified.
Select order_nbr, field1, field2, field3
from table
where order_nbr = isnull(@Ord_nbr,'xxxxxx')

That's the way I understand it too.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
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Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286609 More actions · Answer 6

The Dixie Flatline (10/11/2012)
If I understand you, you want to have a default value to be returned whenever no value is specified.
Select order_nbr, field1, field2, field3
from table
where order_nbr = isnull(@Ord_nbr,'xxxxxx')

That is exactly what my response contained but apparently that isn't quite it.

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Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.

Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/

The Dixie Flatline SSC Guru Points: 53354 More actions · Answer 7

I know, Sean. And I can't understand why that isn't it. It would be nice if the OP came back and told us what the final solution to their problem was.

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Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain. -- Friedrich Schiller
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The Dixie Flatline SSC Guru Points: 53354 More actions · Answer 8

Cheryl McLaughlin-385812 (10/11/2012)
It works too a point, but it pulls all the records. If I substitute @Ord_Nbr ='12345' the script still pulls all the records and not the record that is = to '12345'

This makes me think that the problem lies elsewhere. Perhaps in an OR section of her WHERE clause.

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Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain. -- Friedrich Schiller
Stop, children, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down. -- Stephen Stills

Luis Cazares SSC Guru Points: 183706 More actions · Answer 9

For what I understood, there's one condition missing in the previous solutions.

Here's my guess (since I have nothing to test on)

Declare

@OrdNbr CoNumType

Select ISNULL( order_nbr, 'xxxxxx') order_nbr, field1, field2, field3

from table

where order_nbr = @Ord_nbr

OR( order_nbr IS NULL AND @Ord_nbr IS NULL)

Luis C.
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