What is the best way to convert an int or null to boolean value in an SQL query?

Question

What is the best way to convert an int or null to boolean value in an SQL query, such that:

• Any non-null value is TRUE in the results
• Any

Answer 1

Assuming you want 0,1 value as a return, and that we are talking about integer I would use the logic specified by Torbjörn and wrap it in the function

create function dbo.isNotNull(@a int)
returns bit
as
begin
return isnull(@a-@a+1,0)
end

so then you can use it whenever you need by simply calling

select dbo.isNotNull(myIntColumn) from myTable

The answer provided by Tomalak is more universal though as it would work with any data type