char database types blanks and nulls

Using Standard Engine This sometimes returns a blank field for the value of column1 $string column1[20]; $declare test_curs cursor for select distinct column1 into $column1 from test_table where column1 is not null;$open test_curs; $fetch test_curs; I know that the informix char data type will blank fill to the end of a field. If I am using the sting data type for the variable name the trailing blanks are removed from the value placed into the array. If the field is blank doesn't the database treat this as a null value? If not what situation will cause the database to think there is a value in that field. Does it fill with a different value for blank then when a user enters a blank character? If it thinks a blank field is null why would it return with this cursor? Shouldn't the where disallow the inclusion of this blank field with the other cursor values. Thanks in advance for any help, Rob -- yslas@advtech.uswest.com Thanks