topic Re: Which is safe? isnull() or Len()>0 in App Development

Which is safe? isnull() or Len()>0

vkish16161 — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 17:58:18 GMT

All,

I'm trying to suggest someone on how best to handle nulls.

In my experience, I have seen that not isnull() works fine but lately, I have seen it behaving weirdly.

So is it safe to say that len()>0 is a suitable replacement for not isnull() in where clauses?

Are there any exceptions/Caveats when with both approaches?

sunny_talwar — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 18:01:58 GMT

I like using Len(Trim(FieldName)) > 0

swuehl — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 18:02:39 GMT

I often use

Len(Trim(FIELD))>0

(or just without the >0 as condition, like If(Len(Trim(FIELD)), THEN ... , ELSE ...)

This also handles empty values / values containing only spaces, i.e. only return TRUE when there is 'something relevant'.

vkish16161 — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 18:25:12 GMT

Both of you are correct.

I guess i'll award Stefan the correct answer since Sunny's been hogging all the points.

sunny_talwar — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 18:26:47 GMT

Hahahaha