return 0 when nothing or null

[bmpsu]

I have a query I need to return a 0 if the value is NULL or non-existent. This is my query and it seems to work. I wanted to see if any experts out there have a better way.

sql server 2000

SELECT COALESCE(MAX(CONVERT(INT,variableValue)),0) FROM sysVar WHERE variableName = 'minThreshold'

If variableValue is null or if variableName 'minThreshold' is non-existent in sysVar, this query will return 0 as I need it to do. Is this the correct way to do this?

Thanks

 

[r937]

if it works, the answer is yes ;-)

r937.com | rudy.ca

 

[bmpsu]

Thanks. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a better or correct way to achieve this.

Thanks.