The short circuit coding feature saves CPU cycles and prevents runtime errors
Editor's Note: Thanks to the many readers who have submitted T-SQL Black Belt solutions! You'll see the first of the reader-contributed solutions in the October issue. If you'd like to contribute to the Black Belt section, send a description of your problem and the T-SQL code that finally did the trick to blackbelt@sqlmag.com. If we use your submission, you'll receive $100 and an exclusive T-SQL Black Belt shirt.
Some 3GLs...