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#1
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the default value of zero in fields with a Number data type
By default, Access gives a Default Value of 0 to fields with a Number data
type. I have been removing this value of zero from the Default Value property of my Number fields, because I've considered it a minor annoyance of no value. I'm wondering if there's any disadvantage to doing this. That is, is there any benefit to retaining a default value of 0 in Number fields? Thanks in advance, Paul |
#2
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the default value of zero in fields with a Number data type
Paul
As a statistician in a former life, my bias is that the "0" default is a serious mistake. "0" is a value which implies something's been measured and found to be ... "0". If I see a list of numbers, with "0"s, I assume those are meaningful values. I kill the "0" defaults too. -- Good luck Jeff Boyce Access MVP |
#3
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the default value of zero in fields with a Number data type
On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 11:15:46 -0700, "Paul James"
wrote: That is, is there any benefit to retaining a default value of 0 in Number fields? Only occasionally - when in the real world the number stored in this field represents a value which can be assumed to be zero unless otherwise specified. For instance, a PenaltyFee field could well be zero, assuming that ordinarily there would be no such fee charged. NULL is a mite less convenient in this case since you'ld need to use NZ() to do math with the value. The zero default on foreign key fields is a MAJOR pain in the neck of course! John W. Vinson[MVP] Come for live chats every Tuesday and Thursday http://go.compuserve.com/msdevapps?loc=us&access=public |
#4
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Thank you to Jeff and John
Thanks, gentlemen, for your comments.
I think I'll keep removing those zeroes from the default value property of my Number fields. |
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