Thread: NULLs on datetime problem (for me at least :) )

Hi there,

I am having problems loading data into a datetime field when
the table allows NULL for the date.

I assume I am doing something silly. Can anyone help me?
Preferably technical rather than medical :)

Cheers

steve



# here is my test table.

--
--    Test table.
--
CREATE TABLE MyTable
(
    myName                       varchar(50)          NOT NULL,
    myDate                       datetime             NULL
);


# here is my datafile, with empty date data

si> cat datafile
fred|
bob|
harry|


# here is the table is Postgres

mydb=# \d mytable
                 Table "mytable"
 Attribute |           Type           | Modifier
-----------+--------------------------+----------
 myname    | character varying(50)    | not null
 mydate    | timestamp with time zone |


# here is the copy line I was trying.

mydb=# COPY mytable FROM '/home/si/datafile' USING DELIMITERS '|';
ERROR:  copy: line 1, Bad timestamp external representation ''

On Thu, 2002-01-17 at 16:09, Stephen Ingram wrote:

> I am having problems loading data into a datetime field when
> the table allows NULL for the date.
>
> I assume I am doing something silly. Can anyone help me?
> Preferably technical rather than medical :)

Represent nulls by \N in your input file. An empty string is not the
same.

--
Oliver Elphick                                Oliver.Elphick@lfix.co.uk
Isle of Wight                              http://www.lfix.co.uk/oliver
GPG: 1024D/3E1D0C1C: CA12 09E0 E8D5 8870 5839  932A 614D 4C34 3E1D 0C1C

     "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me,
      to give every man according as his work shall be."
                               Revelation 22:12