Colin

Recent Blog Comments By Colin

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on May 19, 2014 at 7:05 PM

  @Hendro, I was not aware of that. If there is just one exception to the rule, the accepted convention of Firstname and Lastname requirements needs to change. And if 140 Million + Indonesians commonly only have one name then it becomes an issue for all interface designers to think about.... read more »

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on May 18, 2014 at 11:33 PM

  @Jonathon, don't pike out now man, the discussion is just getting started :-)... read more »

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on May 18, 2014 at 11:32 PM

  @Hendro, man, that is a tale of woe. Customs people have no sense of humour or imagination. The issue with the airport check-in system was more one of rigid validation and an inflexible interface design. I must admit I tend to design my systems with a compulsory firstname, lastname requirement an... read more »

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on Mar 30, 2014 at 11:36 PM

  @hendro, good call. I apologize for all the pain I have put you through ;-) There is an argument to make as many fields nullable as practical. You never know when the rules will change and it IS legitimate for a contact to only have one name. Storing a blank for surname is not the same a null. I ... read more »

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on Jul 6, 2012 at 8:02 PM

  @David, I agree 99%. I do sometimes use default value spaces, and integer zeroes when I know the values have a specific code equivalent ... like Enumerations and flags. Sometimes necessary in a properly de-normalised database. Database first design has always worked for me too and nulls are not sc... read more »

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on Jun 7, 2012 at 6:11 AM

  Man, this thread is the energizer bunny of threads, it just goes on and on.... read more »

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on Apr 22, 2012 at 4:49 AM

  @Mathew, I think the consensus of this post has been that nulls are fine if they serve a purpose. In your case they do serve a valid purpose,that a value has not been entered. Nulls can clutter your code and make it less readable. Nulls can also refine your code and make it more readable. It's the... read more »

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on Jul 15, 2011 at 6:43 PM

  I always check values coming into my code for rational values, whether from a database or user input. Nulls are just a part of that. A good function library can save a lot of pain.... read more »

• Why NULL Values Should Not Be Used in a Database Unless Required

  Posted on Dec 17, 2010 at 1:03 AM

  maybe change your conclusion to: DO NOT ALLOW NULL VALUES unless you know what you are doing . You will only be making things harder for yourself.... read more »