Zero vs. Null — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Zero is a numerical value representing nothing or none, while Null indicates the absence of a value or data, often in computing contexts.
Difference Between Zero and Null
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Zero is a fundamental concept in mathematics and represents a number with no value. It serves as a placeholder in our numeral system and plays an integral role in arithmetic, calculus, and other branches of mathematics. Null, on the other hand, stems from computing and database contexts and signifies the absence of a value. It doesn't mean zero; instead, it means that no data exists or is applicable.
When considering Zero in a quantitative sense, it can be added, subtracted, or multiplied just like any other number. Null, conversely, is more qualitative. In programming, trying to perform operations on a null value can lead to errors.
Zero can often be visualized on a number line, lying between positive and negative numbers. Null cannot be placed on this line since it's not a numerical entity but a state of non-existence or non-assignment.
While Zero is universally understood across different fields, the interpretation of Null can vary based on context, especially outside of technical domains.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Numerical value.
Absence of value or data.
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Domain
Primarily Mathematics.
Primarily Computing and Databases.
Operations
Can be added, subtracted, multiplied.
Operations can lead to errors in programming.
Visualization
On a number line between positive and negative numbers.
Cannot be visualized on a number line.
Interpretation
Universally understood as no value.
Interpretation varies; indicates non-existence or non-assignment.
Compare with Definitions
Zero
A number with no value.
The sum of two opposite integers is zero.
Null
Indicates absence of a value in computing.
If the database field is not filled, it might return a null value.
Zero
The integer between positive and negative numbers.
On a number line, zero acts as the central point.
Null
Not equivalent to zero in programming.
The system crashed because the variable was null, not zero.
Zero
A placeholder in the decimal system.
In the number 2004, zero serves as a placeholder.
Null
A state of non-existence or non-assignment.
The result of the query was null, meaning no matching records were found.
Zero
Symbolized as "0."
She wrote a zero on the board.
Null
Can represent an unknown or undefined state.
The sensor returned a null reading, indicating a malfunction.
Zero
Represents absence in quantity.
There are zero apples left in the basket.
Null
Used in databases to denote missing or inapplicable data.
The user didn't input their age, so the field was set to null.
Zero
The numerical symbol 0; a cipher.
Null
Having no legal force; invalid
Render a contract null and void.
Zero
The identity element for addition.
Null
Of no consequence, effect, or value; insignificant.
Zero
A cardinal number indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration.
Null
Amounting to nothing; absent or nonexistent
A null result.
Zero
An ordinal number indicating an initial point or origin.
Null
(Mathematics) Of or relating to a set having no members or to zero magnitude.
Zero
An argument at which the value of a function vanishes.
Null
To make null.
Zero
The temperature indicated by the numeral 0 on a thermometer.
Null
Zero; nothing.
Zero
A sight setting that enables a firearm to shoot on target.
Null
An instrument reading of zero.
Zero
(Informal) One having no influence or importance; a nonentity
A manager who was a total zero.
Null
A non-existent or empty value or set of values.
Zero
The lowest point
His prospects were approaching zero.
Null
Zero quantity of expressions; nothing.
Zero
(Informal) Nothing; nil
Today I accomplished zero.
Null
Something that has no force or meaning.
Zero
Of, relating to, or being zero.
Null
(computing) The null character; the ASCII or Unicode character (␀), represented by a zero value, which indicates no character and is sometimes used as a string terminator.
Zero
Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value.
Null
(computing) The attribute of an entity that has no valid value.
Since no date of birth was entered for the patient, his age is null.
Zero
(Informal) Not any; no
"The town has ... practically no opportunities for amusement, zero culture" (Robert M. Adams).
Null
One of the beads in nulled work.
Zero
Designating a ceiling not more than 16 meters (52 feet) high.
Null
(statistics) The null hypothesis.
Zero
Limited in horizontal visibility to no more than 55 meters (180 feet).
Null
Having no validity; "null and void".
Zero
(Linguistics) Of or relating to a morpheme that is expected by an established, regular paradigm but has no spoken or written form. Moose has a zero plural; that is, its plural is moose.
Null
Insignificant.
Zero
To adjust (an instrument or a device) to zero value.
Null
Absent or non-existent.
Zero
The cardinal number occurring before one and that denotes no quantity or amount at all, represented in Arabic numerals as 0.
The conductor waited until the passenger count was zero.
A cheque for zero dollars and zero cents crashed the computers on division by zero.
Null
(mathematics) Of the null set.
Zero
The numeric symbol that represents the cardinal number zero.
In unary and k-adic notation in general, zero is the empty string.
Write 0.0 to indicate a floating point number rather than the integer zero.
The zero sign in American Sign Language is considered rude in some cultures.
Null
(mathematics) Of or comprising a value of precisely zero.
Zero
The digit 0 in the decimal, binary, and all other base numbering systems.
One million has six zeroes.
Null
Causing a complete loss of gene function; amorphic.
Zero
Nothing, or none.
The shipment was lost, so they had zero in stock.
He knows zero about humour.
In the end, all of our hard work amounted to zero.
Null
Neutral.
Zero
The value of a magnitude corresponding to the cardinal number zero.
The electromagnetic field does not drop all of the way to zero before a reversal.
Null
To nullify; to annul.
Zero
The point on a scale at which numbering or measurement originates.
The temperature outside is ten degrees below zero.
Null
To return to the null position, setting, etc.
Zero
(mathematics) A value of the independent variables of a function, for which the function is equal to zero.
The zeroes of a polynomial are its roots by the fundamental theorem of algebra.
The derivative of a continuous, differentiable function that twice crosses the axis must have a zero.
The nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function may all lie on the critical line.
Null
To form nulls, or into nulls, as in a lathe.
Zero
The additive identity element of a monoid or greater algebraic structure, particularly a group or ring.
Since a commutative zero is the inverse of any additive identity, it must be unique when it exists.
The zero (of a ring or field) has the property that the product of the zero with any element yields the zero.
The quotient ring over a maximal ideal is a field with a single zero element.
Null
To crack; to remove restrictions or limitations in (software).
Zero
(slang) A person of little or no importance.
They rudely treated him like a zero.
Null
Of no legal or binding force or validity; of no efficacy; invalid; void; nugatory; useless.
Faultily faultless, icily regular, splendidly null,Dead perfection; no more.
Zero
(military) A Mitsubishi A6M Zero, a long range fighter aircraft operated by the Japanese Navy Air Service from 1940 to 1945.
Null
Having a value of zero; as, of null utility.
Zero
A setting of calibrated instruments such as a firearm, corresponding to a zero value.
Null
Empty; having no members; as, the null set.
Zero
(finance) A security which has a zero coupon (paying no periodic interest).
The takeovers were financed by issuing zeroes.
Null
Unassigned or meaningless; - a special value given to variables, especially pointers or logical variables, indicating that it is meaningless and cannot be used in computation; as, an uninitialized pointer in "C" is given a null value. The actual value that is stored in memory to indicate the null condition may vary with the computer language used.
Zero
(informal) No, not any.
She showed zero respect.
Null
Something that has no force or meaning.
Zero
(meteorology) Of a cloud ceiling, limiting vision to 50 feet (15 meters) or less.
Null
That which has no value; a cipher; zero.
Zero
(meteorology) Of horizontal visibility, limited to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less.
Null
One of the beads in nulled work.
Zero
(linguistics) Present at an abstract level, but not realized in the surface form.
The stem of "kobieta" with the zero ending is "kobiet".
Null
To annul.
Zero
(transitive) To set a measuring instrument to zero; to calibrate an instrument scale to valid zero.
Zero the fluorometer with the same solvent used in extraction.
George parked in space 34, zeroed the trip meter, closed and locked his car, then went back to the guard shack.
Null
A quantity of no importance;
It looked like nothing I had ever seen before
Reduced to nil all the work we had done
We racked up a pathetic goose egg
It was all for naught
I didn't hear zilch about it
Zero
To change a memory location or range to values of zero; to set a variable in a computer program to zero.
Results were inconsistent because an array wasn’t zeroed during initialization.
Null
Lacking any legal or binding force;
Null and void
Zero
(transitive) To cause or set some value or amount to be zero.
They tried to zero the budget by the end of the quarter.
The bill was over $400, but the server zeroed it out as a gesture of gratitude.
Zero
(transitive) To eliminate; to delete; to overwrite with zeros.
Zero
(intransitive) To disappear.
Zero
A cipher; nothing; naught.
Zero
The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences.
Zero
Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero.
Zero
A quantity of no importance;
It looked like nothing I had ever seen before
Reduced to nil all the work we had done
We racked up a pathetic goose egg
It was all for naught
I didn't hear zilch about it
Zero
A mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
Zero
The quantity that registers a reading of zero on a scale
Zero
Adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value
Zero
Adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun);
He zeroed in his rifle at 200 yards
Zero
Indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration;
A zero score
Zero
Indicating an initial point or origin
Zero
Of or relating to the null set (a set with no members)
Zero
Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value;
The goal is zero population growth
Common Curiosities
Can you perform arithmetic operations with zero?
Yes, zero can be used in arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
What does zero represent in mathematics?
Zero represents a number with no value in mathematics.
Is null the same as zero in programming?
No, null indicates the absence of a value, whereas zero is a definite numerical value.
What happens if you try to operate on a null value in programming?
Operating on a null value in programming can lead to errors or unexpected results.
In which domain is the concept of null most commonly found?
The concept of null is most commonly found in computing and databases.
Is a null value the same as an empty string in programming?
No, a null value indicates the absence of a value, while an empty string is a value itself, albeit with no characters.
Is zero positive or negative?
Zero is neither positive nor negative; it's neutral.
How is zero used in the decimal numeral system?
In the decimal numeral system, zero is used as a placeholder.
Can a database field have a null value?
Yes, a database field can have a null value indicating missing or inapplicable data.
Can you equate a variable to null in programming?
Yes, in many programming languages, you can assign a null value to a variable to indicate it has no value.
Does zero have a position on the number line?
Yes, zero is positioned centrally on the number line between positive and negative numbers.
What does null signify in a database context?
In a database context, null signifies the absence of data or that data is not applicable.
Can you divide by zero?
No, division by zero is undefined in mathematics.
How is zero symbolized?
Zero is symbolized as "0."
How is zero different from null in a quantitative sense?
Zero is a defined quantity meaning none or nothing, while null represents an undefined or absent state.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
