For common expression like a + b > 5, it is obvious that as long as b or a is NULL, the the expression would not be true. In other words, the the null attribute could not pass this expression.
However, expression like coalesce
could allow a tuple with NULL attribute to pass. For example, coalesce(a,b) > 0
, even if a is NULL, as long as b > 0, then this tuple could still pass.
My question is that except coalesce
, is there any other common expression could allow a tuple with null attribute to possibly pass the condition test?
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Answer
Here are some standard expressions that pass for NULL
values:
a is not null a is distinct from 1 coalesce(a, 1) > 0 (case when a > 0 then 1 when a is null then 1 else 0 end) a || 'abc' = 'abc'
Some databases have synonyms for coalesce()
-like functionality — nz()
, ifnull()
, nvl()
come to mind.