isnull vs is null

Question

I have noticed a number of queries at work and on SO are using limitations in the form:

isnull(name,\'\') <> \'\'

Is there a particul

Answer 1

isnull(name,'') <> name

Well I can see them using this because this way if the name doesn't match or is null it returns as a failed comparison. This really means: name is null or name <> name

Where as this one name is not null just checks to see if the name is null.