SQL Indicator Variables in Embedded SQL for RPG on IBM i
SQL Indicator Variables in Embedded SQL for RPG on IBM i When working with DB2 on IBM i, handling NULL values properly is essential, especially when you retrieve data using embedded SQL in RPG. In this post, I’ll show you a simple and practical way to check if a column is NULL using what’s called an SQL Indicator Variable . The Scenario Let’s say you have a customer file called CLANA00F with the following fields: Field Type Length Description CLANN0 CHAR(1) 1 Customer status CLCCL0 DEC(7,0) 7 Customer ID CLCIB0 CHAR(3) 3 Customer type CLNOM0 CHAR(50) 50 Customer name CLSTS0 CHAR(1) 1 Customer status Now, imagine that CLSTS0 is nullable (i.e., it can contain NULL ), and you want to find out whether it has a value or not. The RPG Example **free ctl-opt dftactgrp ( *no ) actgrp ( *caller ); // **************************************************************** // * Autore.......: ALDO SUCCI ...