MySQL Tutorial/Control Flow Functions/IFNULL

Create a table based on the result of IFNULL

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE tmp SELECT IFNULL(1,"test") AS test;
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.25 sec)
Records: 1  Duplicates: 0  Warnings: 0
mysql>
mysql> DESCRIBE tmp;
+-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+-------+
| Field | Type         | Null | Key | Default | Extra |
+-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+-------+
| test  | varbinary(4) | NO   |     |         |       |
+-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+-------+
1 row in set (0.14 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from tmp;
+------+
| test |
+------+
| 1    |
+------+
1 row in set (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> drop table tmp;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.01 sec)
mysql>

IFNULL(expr1,expr2)

If expr1 is not NULL, IFNULL() returns expr1; otherwise it returns expr2.

mysql>
mysql> SELECT IFNULL(1,0);
+-------------+
| IFNULL(1,0) |
+-------------+
|           1 |
+-------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> SELECT IFNULL(NULL,10);
+-----------------+
| IFNULL(NULL,10) |
+-----------------+
|              10 |
+-----------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> SELECT IFNULL(1/0,10);
+----------------+
| IFNULL(1/0,10) |
+----------------+
|        10.0000 |
+----------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> SELECT IFNULL(1/0,"yes");
+-------------------+
| IFNULL(1/0,"yes") |
+-------------------+
| yes               |
+-------------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>

IFNULL() with NULL and NOT NULL value

mysql>
mysql> SELECT IFNULL(NULL,"The value is Null");
+----------------------------------+
| IFNULL(NULL,"The value is Null") |
+----------------------------------+
| The value is Null                |
+----------------------------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> SELECT IFNULL(10,"The value is Null");
+--------------------------------+
| IFNULL(10,"The value is Null") |
+--------------------------------+
| 10                             |
+--------------------------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>

Use the IFNULL() function to specify a zero in place of the NULL figure

mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.03 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,NULL,        "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,NULL    ,    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | NULL       | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | NULL       | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> SELECT first_name, IFNULL(first_name,0)
    -> FROM employee;
+------------+----------------------+
| first_name | IFNULL(first_name,0) |
+------------+----------------------+
| Jason      | Jason                |
| Alison     | Alison               |
| James      | James                |
| Celia      | Celia                |
| Robert     | Robert               |
| Linda      | Linda                |
| NULL       | 0                    |
| NULL       | 0                    |
+------------+----------------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>

Using IFNULL in where clause

mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.03 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(NULL,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(NULL,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
| NULL | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
| NULL | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from employee where IFNULL(ID,999) = 999;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| NULL | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
| NULL | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
2 rows in set (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)

Using IFNULL with data in a table

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.05 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(NULL,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(NULL,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
| NULL | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
| NULL | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select IFNULL(ID, 999) from Employee;
+-----------------+
| IFNULL(ID, 999) |
+-----------------+
|               1 |
|               2 |
|               3 |
|               4 |
|               5 |
|             999 |
|               7 |
|             999 |
+-----------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>