Question

I have several queries in an MS Access database that I am rewriting in a SQL stored procedure. The queries have several filters applied to the same field.

select *
from DT.SM_T_OCDetails
where 
    (Rest1 <> 'S' Or Rest1 Is Null)
    and (Rest2 <> 'S' Or Rest2 Is Null) 
    and (Rest3 <> 'S' Or Rest3 Is Null)
    and (Rest4 <> 'S' Or Rest4 Is Null)

Is there a better way to write the

(Rest1 <> 'S' Or Rest1 Is Null)

part of the queries? I looked at coalesce for it but unless I am doing it wrong, I don’t think that works.

Thanks

Answer 1

Using coalesce:

coalesce(Rest1,'NOT-S') <> 'S'

Though I actually think your original is clearer.