Question

SQL Function returning boolean value

Asked by: jaime_olivares

Hi again,
I need to create a function that returns a boolean value, to be used in a CASE expression.
I have tried with 'RETURNS BIT' but it is not considered as boolean an SQL fails in the case so I have to use:
SELECT CASE WHEN dbo.myFunction(parameter)=1 THEN .....
I want to use as
SELECT CASE WHEN dbo.myFunction(parameter) THEN .....
Any ideas?
Any chance to use variant type?

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Asked On
2006-10-14 at 07:01:50ID22024454
Tags

boolean

,

sql

,

function

Topic

MS SQL Server

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
21

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Answers

 

by: aneeshattingalPosted on 2006-10-14 at 07:05:59ID: 17730527

create function udfFunction (
@i int,
@j int )
RETURNS BIT
AS
BEGIN
    declare @ret bit
    SELECT @Ret = CASE WHEN @i >=@j THEN 1 ELSE 0 END
    RETURN (@ret)
END
GO

SELECT dbo.udfFunction(10,1)

 

by: jaime_olivaresPosted on 2006-10-14 at 07:16:10ID: 17730555

That's not my problem, Aneesh.
I have a function that returns a BIT, I want to make it return a boolean, for use in:

SELECT CASE WHEN dbo.myFunc()   <---- fails because it is not a boolean expression
THEN .....
ELSE ......
END

 

by: aneeshattingalPosted on 2006-10-14 at 07:20:11ID: 17730570

You need to compare the values from the Function

SELECT CASE WHEN dbo.udfFunction(10,1)=1 THEN 'true'  ELSE 'False' END

 

by: jaime_olivaresPosted on 2006-10-14 at 07:28:22ID: 17730590

I know, but that's exactly what I want to avoid

 

by: aneeshattingalPosted on 2006-10-14 at 07:35:18ID: 17730607

There is no provision in SQL server to do this even in IF statement also you need to put the condition

 

by: aneeshattingalPosted on 2006-10-14 at 07:43:33ID: 17730641

The syntax of CASE..WHEN

CASE
    WHEN Boolean_expression THEN result_expression

So it must be a boolean expression and the function just returns a 'Bit'

 

by: jaime_olivaresPosted on 2006-10-14 at 07:57:50ID: 17730685

I know all you are telling me, I am not a principiant.
My question is "HOW TO RETURN A BOOLEAN VALUE INSTEAD A BIT"

 

by: aneeshattingalPosted on 2006-10-14 at 08:27:54ID: 17730774

jaime_olivares,
> "HOW TO RETURN A BOOLEAN VALUE INSTEAD A BIT"
NO Way in SQL server

 

by: GRayLPosted on 2006-10-14 at 09:07:10ID: 17730914

From Access Help:  Boolean Data Type
     
Boolean variables are stored as 16-bit (2-byte) numbers, but they can only be True or False. Boolean variables display as either True or False (when Print is used) or #TRUE# or #FALSE# (when Write # is used). Use the keywords True and False to assign one of the two states to Boolean variables.

When other numeric types are converted to Boolean values, 0 becomes False and all other values become True. When Boolean values are converted to other data types, False becomes 0 and True becomes -1.

Are you linked to SQL Server from Access?  In which case you can convert the SQL Bit value to Boolean using the Access function CBool() in a query.  Using a Select query, you are not changing the SQL Server data, but you can obtain Boolean type results using the conversion.  Is this of any help or have I completely missed the mark?

 

by: angelIIIPosted on 2006-10-14 at 09:34:30ID: 17730985

I have to agree with aneeshattingal, in sql server, the syntax does not allow what you are trying to achieve.

 

by: jaime_olivaresPosted on 2006-10-14 at 12:02:13ID: 17731324

To GrayL,
I am working with C# and MSSQL Express 2005, but I am trying to solve this at Server side.

To all,
Have you tried to trick the server by using a variant data type?

 

by: angelIIIPosted on 2006-10-14 at 12:14:57ID: 17731357

>To all,
>Have you tried to trick the server by using a variant data type?

yes, tried it, with the same result: it does not work.

 

by: GRayLPosted on 2006-10-14 at 15:04:51ID: 17731818

Then I guess I have to ask why is this in the Access TA?

 

by: GRayLPosted on 2006-10-14 at 15:05:58ID: 17731822

Oops, how did that happen?  Sorry guys, disregard my last remark.  I got carried over to another TA and didn't notice.

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2006-10-14 at 16:27:04ID: 17732117

>>I know all you are telling me, I am not a principiant.
My question is "HOW TO RETURN A BOOLEAN VALUE INSTEAD A BIT"<<

A couple of comments:  
1. These two sentences contradict each other.
2. Do not use ALL CAPS, not even for emphasizing. It is just plain rude.  We are all here to help you and you may actually learn something.

Suerte.

 

by: jaime_olivaresPosted on 2006-10-14 at 18:06:22ID: 17732308

To acperkins,
There is not contradiction. There is no other way to emphasize here at E-E, unless you know how to underline or colorize, I am curious.

To aneeshattingal and angelIII,
Thanks for exploring all possibilities

To GRayL,
You are right, this is not Access TA

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2006-10-14 at 18:41:43ID: 17732372

>>There is not contradiction.<<
You misunderstood what I meant.  Perhaps it got lost in the translation.

 

by: angelIIIPosted on 2006-10-15 at 01:44:29ID: 17733141

>My question is "HOW TO RETURN A BOOLEAN VALUE INSTEAD A BIT"<<

I have to agree that it is NOT a contradition.

Boolean = TRUE or FALSE
Bit = 0 or 1

now, technically, boolean false is most often evaluated as 0, and true everything else (mostly 1 or -1 though)
hence, the 2 datatypes are not equal, but easily convertible.

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2006-10-15 at 09:34:42ID: 17734167

>>I have to agree that it is NOT a contradition.<<
Let me restate what I said:
"These two sentences contradict each other."

In other words, How can you not be a "principiant" (from the Spanish word "principiante" and in English "beginner") in SQL Server and not know that the closest you have to a boolean in T-SQL is a bit data type?  That is the contradiction in terms.

 

by: jaime_olivaresPosted on 2006-10-15 at 10:09:20ID: 17734368

Not from spanish "principiante" but form latin "principium". Maybe you have to review your raw-english-to-cult-english dictionary sometimes.

Webster Dictionary:
Prin·cip·i·ant
[L. principians, p. pr. of principiare to begin, fr. principium. See Principle.]
Relating to principles or beginnings.

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2006-10-15 at 10:21:16ID: 17734612

Fair enough.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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