Fal (3/30/2010)
This QotD raises a point I'm always having to remind developers about, and I guess SQL guys can also do with a reminder from time to time.However, my 2 cents is rather than...
declare @s-2 char(4)
select ISNULL(convert(varchar(16),@s),'Unknown')
...I would use...
declare @s-2 char(4)
select coalesce(@s,'Unknown')
...which also has the ability to take more than 2 arguments.
S.
I, too, prefer the coalesce for this same reason. However, you will find that many prefer the isnull due to an increase in performance.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
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I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
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