NullToValue

sush26283 · Post by **sush26283** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:21 am

I have an issue need some insight..
i have a job with one of the source column as NOT NULL and its been targeted to a column that is also NOT NULL..the data coming in on that column shows blank, null spaces, I want to default those blank spaces to UNKNOWN. but when I use the NullToValue function, I still get the same plain blank space at the target column. how can I handle it. someone please give some insight.

both the columns are defines as Varchar(25) and the data coming in are numeric like '2', '7', etc..
thanks

chulett · Post by **chulett** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:29 am

An empty string "" is not the same as null. Sounds like you need to explicitly check for that.

qt_ky · Post by **qt_ky** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:30 am

Blanks or spaces are not equivalent to the NULL value, which represents that the value is UNKNOWN.

In your case, you won't have actual NULL values coming in. You can do a test on spaces or a test on the empty string '' (two single quotes) after trimming the VarChar(25) column, and then output the string 'UNKNOWN' or else output the original input column value.

sush26283 · Post by **sush26283** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:31 am

chulett wrote:An empty string "" is not the same as null. Sounds like you need to explicitly check for that. ...

so what exactly do I need to do..

chulett · Post by **chulett** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:36 am

Read Eric's post.

sush26283 · Post by **sush26283** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:50 am

Thanks you Eric, that was great help...I was able to resolve the issue with what you told me..Thank You SIR!!!! :D