DF089: The CASE expression with the ELSE clause that returns a NULL value is used.

Last modified: May 28, 2025

The topic describes the DF089 T-SQL code analysis rule.

Category

STYLE

Message

The CASE expression with the ELSE clause that returns a NULL value is used.

Description

It is not recommended to use the ELSE clause that returns a NULL value with CASE expressions because even without it, a CASE expression will result in returning NULL as the default value.

Noncompliant code example

SELECT
  CASE
    WHEN @id = 12 THEN 'YES'
    ELSE NULL
  END

Compliant solution

SELECT
  CASE
    WHEN @id = 12 THEN 'YES'
  END