Informix - Esql/Cobol

I have got a question on esql/(MF-)Cobol. When inserting a record into a table using a host-variable, is it possible to set a specific column to NULL-value? For example there are no values known for the columns t46-zbg-2 and t46-ort, so these columns should be set to NULL from Informix when inserting the record. The problem is: I have to initialize the include-member-record before moving the correct values into the variables and execute the sql-statement. So the variables are set (for the database correct ) to t46-zbg-2 = 0 and t46-ort = "". To what value have I set the variables, so that an insert-statement ends as requested? exec sql insert into tab46_plz values ( :tab46-plz-rec) end-exec. * INCLUDE-member generated for SQL-table tab46_plz 01 tab46-plz-rec. 03 t46-postleitzahl pic s9(5) usage comp-3. 03 t46-zbg-1 pic s9(2) usage comp-3. 03 t46-zbg-2 pic s9(3) usage comp-3. 03 t46-ort pic X(20). 03 t46-zanr pic X(2). Thanks in advance for some support. matthias

"M. Köching" wrote: > I have got a question on esql/(MF-)Cobol. > When inserting a record into a table using a host-variable, is it possible > to set a specific column > to NULL-value? > For example there are no values known for the columns t46-zbg-2 and > t46-ort, so these > columns should be set to NULL from Informix when inserting the record. The > problem is: I have to initialize the include-member-record before moving the > correct values into the variables and execute the sql-statement. So the > variables are > set (for the database correct ) to t46-zbg-2 = 0 and t46-ort = "". To what > value have I set the variables, so that an > insert-statement ends as requested? > > exec sql > insert > into tab46_plz > values ( :tab46-plz-rec) > end-exec. > > * INCLUDE-member generated for SQL-table tab46_plz > 01 tab46-plz-rec. > 03 t46-postleitzahl pic s9(5) usage comp-3. > 03 t46-zbg-1 pic s9(2) usage comp-3. > 03 t46-zbg-2 pic s9(3) usage comp-3. > 03 t46-ort pic X(20). > 03 t46-zanr pic X(2). > > Thanks in advance for some support. > > matthias Hi Matthias, you must use "indicator variables". How it works: You have to define a variable: EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE ...... 01 indic_vars. 02 indic_plz pic s9(5) comp-5. .... EXEC SQL END DECLARE ... move -1 to indic_plz. exec sql insert into tab46_plz (postleitzahl, ort, zbg_1 .....) values (:t46_postleitzahl:indic_plz, :ort, :zbg_1, ...) end-exec. a negative value in the indicator variable at insert/update means to write a NULL value, a negative value in the indicator variable after a fetch means a NULL value has been found. If an indicator variable is not specified, it defaults to "0". For additional information see the Informix ESQL/COBOL Programmer's Manual. Regards -- Helmut Leininger Bull AG / Vienna Open Systems Support Email: h.leininger@bull.at helmut.leininger@bull.net This opinion is mine and not necessarily that of my employer. No guarantees whatsoever.