COALESCE function used in COBOL

[criculet]

Hi,
How the "coalesce" SQL function is used with COBOL variables? I have to make a "MOVE H-VARS into W-VARS", but H-VARS is obtained with an SQL statement, which can return NULL.
Thanks,
Bye!!

 

[fredericofonseca]

You can't but the SQL you use can do that for you.

But if you are using ESQL or similar and the SQL can return null then you should also be using indicators with your SQL, and you should then test if that indicator flag is true and act upon it.

e.g.

IF MY_FIELD_NULL_INDICATOR = (ON_VALUE)
MOVE ZEROS (OR SPACES) TO MY_FIELD
END-IF.

Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[MarcLodge]

Hi Criculet,
From a DB2 point of view, the following example might help:

EXEC SQL
SELECT COALESCE(COL1, COL2)
INTO :H-VARS :H-VARS-NI
END-EXEC

IF H-VARS-NI = -1
do whatever you want to do when null is found....
ELSE
MOVE H-VARS TO W-VARS
END-IF

Hope this is clear, if not, get back to us.

Regards,
Marc