Coalesce

Coalesce is an SQL function that returns the first expression that is NOT NULL.

Examples

SELECT COALESCE(NULL, '2', '5') FROM dual;

SELECT 'Dear '||COALESCE(preferred_name, first_name, 'Sir or Madam')
  FROM emp2;

Also see

• Nvl
• Nvl2
• Decode
• Nullif

Glossary of Terms
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