SQL Default Value if no row is returned

Sometimes default values are necassary. Normally you can use NVL or NVL2 when you get NULL values as return value. But it is also possible, that no row is returned. In this case, NVL or NVL2 is not working, cause you get no value back – not even NULL. Therefore, there are some options – like producing a NULL value.

COALESCE

-- Use the COALESCE statement, MAX produces automatic a NULL value
SELECT COALESCE(MAX(dummy), 'Z') result
FROM DUAL
WHERE DUMMY = 'Y'; -- 'X'

NVL and MAX

-- Use the NVL statement, MAX produces automatic a NULL value
SELECT NVL(MAX(dummy), 'Z') result
FROM DUAL
WHERE DUMMY = 'Y'; -- 'X'

EXISTS

-- Use the EXISTS statement in combination with CASE
SELECT CASE
    WHEN EXISTS(SELECT 1
                FROM DUAL
                WHERE DUMMY = 'Y') -- 'X'
    THEN (SELECT DUMMY
          FROM DUAL
          WHERE DUMMY = 'Y') -- 'X'
    ELSE 'Z' result
    END
FROM DUAL;

COUNT and MIN

-- Use the COUNT function in combination with CASE
-- MIN is needed to identify the correct value
SELECT CASE
    WHEN COUNT(1) > 0
        THEN MIN(DUMMY)
        ELSE 'Z'
    END result
FROM DUAL
WHERE DUMMY = 'Y'; -- 'X'

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