Best method of assigning NULL value to SqlParameter

NealR picture NealR · Dec 20, 2012 · Viewed 43.5k times · Source

I have a number of optional input parameters I am using in a C# class method. Since the optional syntax creates a value of '0' when the parameter is not used, the SQL insert command I call in the method winds up inserting as such. However, I need the command to insert a NULL value instead of a 0 when the parameter is not being used. What is the best way to accomplish this without using a large amount of 'if' statements?

Below is the code I am referring to. Is there syntax/a command of some kind that will allow me to specify a NULL value in the SqlParameter declaration?

public int batchInsert
(
    int id, 
    int outcome, 
    int input = 0, 
    int add = 0, 
    int update = 0,
    int delete = 0,
    int errors = 0, 
    int warnings = 0
)
{
    string sts;
    if (outcome == 0)
    {
        sts = "S";
    }
    else if (outcome == 1)
    {
        sts = "W";
    }
    else
    {
        sts = "E";
    }

    SqlConnection sqlConn = new SqlConnection(this.connString);
    SqlParameter runId = new SqlParameter("@runId", id);
    SqlParameter endTime = new SqlParameter("@endTime", DateTime.Now);
    SqlParameter status = new SqlParameter("@status", sts);
    SqlParameter sqlInput = new SqlParameter("@itemsRead", input);
    SqlParameter sqlAdd = new SqlParameter("@add", add);
    SqlParameter sqlUpdate = new SqlParameter("@update", update);
    SqlParameter sqlDelete = new SqlParameter("@delete", delete);
    SqlParameter sqlError = new SqlParameter("@errors", errors);
    SqlParameter sqlWarning = new SqlParameter("@warnings", warnings);
    SqlParameter result = new SqlParameter("@outcome", results[outcome]);
    SqlCommand sqlComm = new SqlCommand(insertCommand(), sqlConn);

Answer

Eric Petroelje picture Eric Petroelje · Dec 20, 2012

Yes, for the value of the parameter, just use DBNull.Value. For example:

SqlParameter sqlError = 
    new SqlParameter("@errors", errors == 0 ? (object)DBNull.Value : errors);

Or write a little helper:

private object ValueOrDBNullIfZero(int val) {
   if ( val == 0 ) return DBNull.Value;
   return val;
}

Then:

SqlParameter sqlError = 
    new SqlParameter("@errors", ValueOrDBNullIfZero(errors));