SQL SERVER – Puzzle SET ANSI_NULLS and Resultset – SQL in Sixty Seconds #052

Earlier I have posted a puzzle where I was receiving different results when I executed two different queries. I encourage all of you to read the original puzzle here, the puzzle had received many fantastic responses and I have later blogged about the solution of the puzzle over here. This time the puzzle runs with SET ANSI_NULLS OFF.

Now I have decided to extend the same puzzle and take it to the next level. In earlier puzzle I had value of the ANSI_NULLS was set to ON. Now in this puzzle let us set the value of the ANSI_NULLS to OFF. When the value of ANSI_NULLS was off at that time, the result of the both the queries is almost identical. The key reason behind this behavior is ANSI_NULLS setting.

However, the puzzle is to answer that why the different queries are producing almost same results when there is a different setting of ANSI_NULL.

Let us see the same concept in following SQL in Sixty Seconds Video:

Here is the script used in this episode:

-- Original Puzzle
SQL SERVER – SQL Puzzle of SET ANSI_NULL – Win USD 50 worth Amazon Gift Cards and Bubble Copter R/C

-- Script
SET ANSI_NULLS ON;
-- Query1
SELECT 'SQLAuthority' AS Statement11
WHERE 'Authority' IN ('S','Q', 'L', 'Authority', NULL);
-- Query 2
SELECT 'SQLAuthority' AS Statement12
WHERE 'Authority' NOT IN ('S','Q', 'L', NULL);
-- Puzzle Solution
SQL SERVER- Solution – SQL Puzzle of SET ANSI_NULL

------------------------------------------------------
-- New puzzle
SET ANSI_NULLS OFF;
-- Query3
SELECT 'SQLAuthority' AS Statement11
WHERE 'Authority' IN ('S','Q', 'L', 'Authority', NULL);
-- Query 4
SELECT 'SQLAuthority' AS Statement12
WHERE 'Authority' NOT IN ('S','Q', 'L', NULL);

Related Tips in SQL in Sixty Seconds:

• SQL SERVER – SQL Puzzle of SET ANSI_NULL
• SQL SERVER- Solution – SQL Puzzle of SET ANSI_NULL
• QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON/OFF and ANSI_NULL ON/OFF Explanation
• Restrictions of Views – T SQL View Limitations

What would you like to see in the next SQL in Sixty Seconds video?

Published by Pinal Dave on SQLAuthority. More of my work at pinaldave.com.