What's the difference between using COALESCE() function instead of just using the literal by itself to output placeholders? # This simpler one: SELECT dept_no, dept_name, 'department manager name' AS fake_col FROM departments_dup; # over COALESCE: SELECT dept_no, dept_name, COALESCE('department manager name') AS fake_col FROM departments_dup;

Hi Duncan! Thanks for reaching out. In this particular case there is no difference. The COALESCE() function returns the first non-null value in a list. It is usually used with columns and checking if the current column is NULL. Hope this helps. Best, Tsvetelin

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Duncan Ledesma

Last answered:

15 Dec 2021

Posted on:

02 Nov 2021

COALESCE('placeholder') vs. 'placeholder'

in SQL / Another Example of Using COALESCE()

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Tsvetelin Tsonkov

Posted on:

15 Dec 2021

COALESCE('placeholder') vs. 'placeholder'

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