Check if a variable is null in plsql

Question

I want to check if a variable is null. If it is null, then I want to set a value to that variable:

//data type of var is  number  if Var = null then   var :=5; endif 

But I am geting error in it. How can I check if a variable is null?

I am using oracle data type

Answer 1

if var is NULL then   var :=5; end if; 

Answer 2

Use:

IF Var IS NULL THEN   var := 5; END IF; 

Oracle 9i+:

var = COALESCE(Var, 5) 

Other alternatives:

var = NVL(var, 5) 

Reference:

• COALESCE
• NVL
• NVL2