Set values to NULL (and set value to string "NULL")

[p-behr]

When using UPDATE: you can set a column value to NULL by typing NULL in the field.
If the column is less than 4 characters I am not sure how to set it to null ("NULL" won't fit).
I have not had a need, but I also don't see any way to set the value to the string "NULL" (i.e. UPDATE file SET field = 'NULL').

create table qtemp.testfile
( fld1 char(4), fld2 char(3) );

insert into qtemp.testfile
values('', '');

update: select * from qtemp.testfile;

If you double-click in fld1 and type NULL it will set the value to null.
If you double-click in fld2 and attempt to type NULL it won't fit and can't set the field to null value.

[forstie]

I tested the char(1) case and it didn't permit the null.
Liam asked me to reopen the issue.

create table qtemp.testfile2
( fld1 char(1), fld2 char(1) );
insert into qtemp.testfile2
values('', '');
update: select * from qtemp.testfile2;

[p-behr]

It mostly works, but the editor is very persnickety.
If you double click and type "-" and press enter it will work.
Seems that if you do anything else (space, backspace, anything) it will get confused and lock up.

[forstie]

Data types that are incompatible with CHAR choke hard on null
create table qtemp.testfile3( fld1 smallint, fld2 date );
insert into qtemp.testfile3 values(1, current date);
update: select * from qtemp.testfile3;

setting fld1 to null doesn't even try it

setting fld2 to 'null' when it should be NULL

[worksofliam]

@forstie Thanks for finding this. I've moved this for fix day 2 next week.