mysql null values

phpprog

Hello All
What are the affects of making a column in a mysql table as NULL or NOT NULL.
What should be the default.

Any help is greatly appreciated..

Thanks
IM

ceemac

Mysql says that if you have a non-NULL column then an insert statement might generate errors if that column is left blank.

Personally I've never had any problems with that even if it is set to non-NULL. Mysql does i think default to it being non-NULL.

Mark

phpprog

thanks for the reply.
Is it the sam case with all the data types like, varchar, int

ceemac

Again, i've have no difficulty with submitting empty values to non-NULL field / colums. If you want I can post up the mysql manual for you - it's a rivetting read if you're an insomniac

Mark

phpprog

Thanks a lot,

that would be very helpful....

ceemac

Ok, it doesn't seem to want to upload, so i'll email it to you - it's 3Mb though - is that a problem??

If anyone else wants it just mail me.

Mark

phpprog

Mail it to me on this email address

imohammd@netscape.net

And once again thanks a lot....
IM

ceemac

OK, can't email to you either, cos you don't want to receive them.

you can find a copy at:
http://www.mysql.com/downloads/download.php?file=Downloads/Manual/manual.pdf-2002-07-26.zip

Mark

ceemac

Re buttle on what I said earlier:

Your question got me thinking and so i did a little research. there is a difference between NULL and an empty string "" which is what i was considering to be a null value. If you try inserting NULL into a field of non-NULL if flans you big style. Doesn't like it.

Sorry if i caused confusion between NULL and an empty string.

Amaterish mistake

Mark