SQL_NOTIN与IN中NULL值问题

工作中发现的一个小问题简单记录一下,在 NOT IN 与 IN 中传入 NULL 值对于系统的不同影响。

To state it simply, why does query A return a result but B doesn’t?

1
2
A: select 'true' where 3 in (1, 2, 3, null)
B: select 'true' where 3 not in (1, 2, null)

This was on SQL Server 2005. I also found that calling set ansi_nulls off causes B to return a result.


Query A is the same as:

1
select 'true' where 3 = 1 or 3 = 2 or 3 = 3 or 3 = null

Since 3 = 3 is true, you get a result.

Query B is the same as:

1
select 'true' where 3 <> 1 and 3 <> 2 and 3 <> null

When ansi_nulls is on, 3 <> null is UNKNOWN, so the predicate evaluates to UNKNOWN, and you don’t get any rows.

When ansi_nulls is off, 3 <> null is true, so the predicate evaluates to true, and you get a row.