Re: "Replacing" an attribute's value with "nothing"

[Michael Ströder <michael@stroeder.com>]

Mudry, Robert (N-aerotek) wrote:
> Is there a way I can set an attribute in my schema to allow me to "replace"
> its value with ""? (That's nothing) Most of our code was designed for the
> Netscape Directory Server, which allows replace operations of "". But
> OpenLDAP has been complaining:
>
> Return code: 21 Message: LDAP_INVALID_SYNTAX

Which is exactly the right response code since your attempt to add an empty 
attribute value violates the X.500 data model.

To all the folks implementing workarounds or complaining about OpenLDAP 
doing something wrong because it works on Netscape DS:

I'd suggest you read and understand the LDAP standard and implement 
compliant LDAP applications. This means applications have to deal with 
non-existent attributes as being non-existent. Otherwise your sick 
applications will not be vendor-independent.

Ciao, Michael.