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>It sounds like you and I don't agree on the use of NULLs. We use NULL for most columns, unless it's a PK or an FK that *must* be populated. IMHO, a NULL is almost always different than empty. Even for character data.

Bonnie,

I guess I wasn't clear. The null is always different from empty value but the question is do you've to know difference? We use Nulls only if they represent missing\not entered value when distinction from empty/zero value is significant.