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SQL NULL Values: What Is A NULL Value?

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86 views

SQL NULL Values: What Is A NULL Value?

Uploaded by

jeffa123
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SQL 

NULL Values
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What is a NULL Value?


A field with a NULL value is a field with no value.

If a field in a table is optional, it is possible to insert a new record or update a


record without adding a value to this field. Then, the field will be saved with a
NULL value.

Note: A NULL value is different from a zero value or a field that contains
spaces. A field with a NULL value is one that has been left blank during record
creation!

How to Test for NULL Values?


It is not possible to test for NULL values with comparison operators, such as =,
<, or <>.

We will have to use the IS NULL and IS NOT NULL operators instead.

IS NULL Syntax
SELECT column_names
FROM table_name
WHERE column_name IS NULL;

IS NOT NULL Syntax


SELECT column_names
FROM table_name
WHERE column_name IS NOT NULL;
Demo Database
Below is a selection from the "Customers" table in the Northwind sample
database:

CustomerID CustomerName ContactName Address City P


e

1 Alfreds Futterkiste Maria Anders Obere Str. 57 Berlin 1

2 Ana Trujillo Emparedados y Ana Trujillo Avda. de la Constitución México 0


helados 2222 D.F.

3 Antonio Moreno Taquería Antonio Moreno Mataderos 2312 México 0


D.F.

4 Around the Horn Thomas Hardy 120 Hanover Sq. London W

5 Berglunds snabbköp Christina Berguvsvägen 8 Luleå S


Berglund

The IS NULL Operator


The IS NULL operator is used to test for empty values (NULL values).

The following SQL lists all customers with a NULL value in the "Address" field:

Example
SELECT CustomerName, ContactName, Address
FROM Customers
WHERE Address IS NULL;
Try it Yourself »
Tip: Always use IS NULL to look for NULL values.

The IS NOT NULL Operator


The IS NOT NULL operator is used to test for non-empty values (NOT NULL
values).

The following SQL lists all customers with a value in the "Address" field:

Example
SELECT CustomerName, ContactName, Address
FROM Customers
WHERE Address IS NOT NULL;
Try it Yourself »

Test Yourself With Exercises


Exercise:
Select all records from the Customers where
the PostalCode column is empty.

SELECT * FROM Customers


WHERE ;
Submit Answer »

Start the Exercise

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