====== NVL Function - PL/HQL Reference======

NVL function returns first non-NULL expression.

**Syntax**:

<code language="sql">
NVL(expr1, expr2 [, expr3, ...]); 
</code>

**Parameters:**

| **Parameter** | **Type** | **Value** |
| exprN | Any | Variable or expression |

**Notes**:

  * When first non-NULL expression is found the following expressions are not evaluated
  * NVL and [[coalesce|COALESCE]] functions are synonyms

**Return Value:**

  * First non-NULL expression
  * NULL if all expressions evaluate to NULL

**Return Type:**

The data type of first non-NULL expression.

**Example 1:**

<code language="sql">
NVL(NULL, 1); 
</code> 

Result: 1

**Compatibility**: Oracle, IBM DB2 and Netezza.

**Version**: PL/HQL 0.01

See also:
  * [[coalesce|COALESCE]]