I use the R:Base permitted shortcut, saving a bunch of keystrokes. I have not yet tried a more elegant approach, setting the NULL return error message off.
SELECT... Col_1 i1, Col_2 i1, Col_3 i1... --- Lawrence Lustig <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > SELECT... Col_1 INDICATOR vIndicator, Col_2 INDICATOR vIndicator ... > > > > Assuming, of course, that you don't actually need the indicator!! > > In fact, in R:Base you never need the indicator because all R:Base variables > support the NULL value directly. Indicators were added to SQL to allow SQL to > be embedded in languages such as C in which the variable types do not allow > you > to specify a NULL value (for instance, you can have an integer with a value 0, > but not with the value NULL). In that situation you need a separate mechanism > to let the calling program know that a NULL value was encountered. > > I can understand why indicators were added to the R:Base language to ensure > compatiblity with other SQL code, but I've never figured out why they are > required -- it's extra work for the programmer with no particular benefit to > the program. > -- > Larry > > ===== Albert Berry Management Consultant RR2 - 1252 Ponderosa Drive Sparwood BC, V0B 2G2 Canada (250) 425-5806 (250) 425-7259 (708) 575-3952 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED]
