Re: NULL or 0 for a "FLAG_COLUMN"

Thomas Kellerer wrote:
> On 06.09.2006 17:23 Martin T. wrote:
> >> NULL means "undefined".
> >> I would _never_ use it to represent an actual "meaningful" value.
> >>
> >> So, I would always choose option a) together with a check constraint
> >> only allowing for 0,1 as the value.
> >>
> >
> > Thomas - thank you.
> > Very valid point I guess. (Now that I think more about it, it will for
> > example make IF questions on the column value easier.)
>
> Please, take Brian's answer into account as well. He has a very good
> point about letting the business requirements drive your database model.
>

Actually - in the project I'm working on at the moment it's a case of a BAD database model driving us before it. :-)

Otherwise I agree - I would not use NULL where it doesn't fit the business model.

best,
Martin Received on Wed Sep 06 2006 - 14:47:13 CDT