Life isn't easy if your last name is 'Null' as it still breaks database entries the world over

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I have a slightly unusual surname. It's no biggie, just something I have to go over a few times with every customer service representative I've ever spoken to over the phone. No, not Edson, Edsert, or Edsner. E-D-S-E-R. Still, spare a thought for those with the last name "Null", as apparently it still breaks web forms, databases, and commerce systems the world over.

Null was first used by British computer scientist, Tony Hoare, 60 years ago as a term meaning "no value" and it's still very much in use in many databases today. The Wall Street Journal has been speaking to clothing designer Nontra Null, who took her husband's last name after marriage, and apparently it's caused her no end of strife—not least when it delayed her visa to travel to India back in 2014.

Andy built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 12, when IDE cables were a thing and high resolution wasn't—and he hasn't stopped since. Now working as a hardware writer for PC Gamer, Andy spends his time jumping around the world attending product launches and trade shows, all the while reviewing every bit of PC gaming hardware he can get his hands on. You name it, if it's interesting hardware he'll write words about it, with opinions and everything.

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