Port Bug Report: NULL fields don't return anything. Later fields move to left.

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POSTGRESQL BUG REPORT TEMPLATE
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Your name : Per Erik Rnne
Your email address : per(at)idp(dot)dk

Category : runtime: front-end: C++
Severity : serious

Summary: NULL fields don't return anything. Later fields move to left.

System Configuration
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Operating System : AIX 4.1.3

PostgreSQL version : 6.4.2

Compiler used : gcc 2.7.7

Hardware:
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IBM 43P 7248-100, 160Mb RAM, 2x1Gb disk + 1x4Gb disk
uname -a:
AIX balder 1 4 0052054D4C00

Versions of other tools:
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GNU Make version 3.71

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Problem Description:
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I've had major problems with tables containing rows with NULL fields. I receive the row in a string where each field should use an exact number of bytes. Through a firm-defined class the string is set up [it's actually a void type which points to a stucture with the fields to use in the C++ program]. It works well for fixed length types, but I'm unsure about var-length data types. It's no I who have programmed the class.
But when nothing is returned the next field is placed in the former field's place.

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Test Case:
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A greater description of the problem can be found on the mail list on interfaces. It whished, the program written can be sent for you.

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Solution:
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You might declare all fields NOT NULL.
Admittedly, not a good solution.

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