Using Indicator Variables
Programs can use indicator variables along with input and output host variables. With input host variables, programs can insert a NULL value by setting the indicator variable is set to -1. With output variables, programs check indicator variables for NULL values and other error conditions.
The value of an indicator variable is interpreted as given below:
0
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The value has been placed in the host variable and is not NULL and has not been truncated.
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-1
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The returned value is NULL and the value of the host variable is not defined.
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>0
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The returned value was truncated since the host variable size was too small. The indicator value is the actual value length before truncation.
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When a query is made, it is suggested that an indicator variable be used to check for NULL values, on columns that can contain NULL values.
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