CQL: Unable to Null Check in "Where" Clause

Question

Try to return all rows where a specific field is null or not null.

select * from ADDRESS where addr1 = null;  

or

select * from ADDRESS where addr1 = 'NULL';  

addr1 can be a boolean or text field.

I've tried != null, is null, <> null, and isnull(addr1, 'NULL')

but I get

no viable alternative at input '='

or

no index columns present in by-columns clause with "equals' operator"

Using Cassandra 1.1.1 & Java 1.7_05

Solution

CQL doesn't have the concept of NULL (yet- see CASSANDRA-3783). The right thing to do instead depends on your particular situation.