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Asked: 2026-06-16T00:05:29+00:00

We are moving our database from Oracle to SQL Server. My queries make extensive

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We are moving our database from Oracle to SQL Server. My queries make extensive use of Oracle’s nvl function. In SQL Server, the function to use is isnull(). If possible, I’d like to start getting my queries ready by changing them to use isnull(), while still on Oracle. My idea is to create a wrapper function isnull() in my schema and change my queries to use that function instead. That way when we switch database platforms, my queries are already using the new function.

Is there a way I can create a wrapper function in Oracle called isnull() that accepts and returns any datatype? Or do I just have to have multiple isnull() declarations, overloaded for all the expected data types?

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  1. Editorial Team

    Another approach might be to use COALESCE instead of NVL, since the syntax for COALESCE is the same in both Oracle and SQL Server. Still, the goal (if it is your goal) of having identical SQL that works efficiently (or even works at all) in both Oracle and SQL Server may not be realistic.

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