RE: comparing null values

Gary,

Null has no value. It can't be like or not like anything. If you want to see the null you'll need to add OR IS NULL to your Where clause.

Jerry Whittle
ASIFICS DBA
NCI Information Systems Inc.
jerome.whittle_at_scott.af.mil
618-622-4145

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Jackson [SMTP:fred_fred_1_at_hotmail.com]
>
> Can anyone explain why it is that I seem unable to use 'like' and 'not like'
> on columns containing null values. (I am unable to find information
> regarding this on MetaLink.)
>
> For example:
>
> SQL> select * from tester2;
>
> COL1 COL2 WHATEVER
> ---- ---- --------
> 1 1 STUFF
> 2 2 STUFF
> 3 3
> 4 4
>
> SQL> select * from tester2 where whatever not like '%STU%';
> no rows selected
>
>
> My question is why does this not return the 3 & 4 columns?
>

-- 
Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
-- 
Author: Whittle Jerome Contr NCI
  INET: Jerome.Whittle_at_scott.af.mil

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