[GENERAL] Quoting/Escaping

[Bill Sneed]

I'd like to be able to find a book title that contain C++ in the
title

select * from books where title ~* 'C++'   doesn't work.

I've tried all the basic methods of quoting the Plus (+) signs but
none seem to work...

Any hints would be most appreciated

Thanks...

Bill Sneed, Prospect, Maine

[GENERAL] NULL NOT NULL

[Bill Sneed]

I'm  (1) new to postgres  (2) trying to "convert" the sample db found
in "The Practical SQL Handbook" Bowman, et al. to postgres.  When
trying to create the following table I get "parser: parse error at or
near 'null'" 

create table authors (
au_id   char(11)not null,
au_lnamevarchar(40) not null,
.
.
.
zip char(5) null
);

The table creation works fine twith the NOT NULL but won't work with
the NULL.  
NULL is supported isn't it?  I can't see where I'm making a syntax
error.  Got me stumped.  TIA.

Bill Sneed Prospect, Maine..