title: Counting every row where certain column is not null or empty
body: <p>I am trying to get a <code>COUNT</code> where a certain column should have at least a value. If this column has <code>EMPTY</code> or <code>NULL</code> value, this should not be included in the <code>COUNT</code>. The problem is, I've tried many different SQL functions (e.g.: <code>IS NOT NULL</code>, <code>&lt;&gt;</code>, <code>LTRIM</code>, <code>RTRIM</code>, etc...) but rows that don't have values are still included in the count.</p>
  
  <p>For example; in the database I have a column called <code>MYDESCRIPTION</code>. There are four records in the table. Two of them have a value in the <code>MYDESCRIPTION</code> column, two of them don't. When I look for a count for those that have a value, the other two that don't have are still included in the result. So it is still showing four.</p>
  
  <p>Here are some sample queries within a specific day:</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT COUNT(*)
  FROM TABLE
  WHERE DATE (CREATIONDATE) &gt;= '2014-12-01' AND
  DATE (CREATIONDATE) &lt;= '2014-12-01' AND
  MYDESCRIPTION &lt;&gt; ''
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>And</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT COUNT(*)
  FROM TABLE
  WHERE DATE (CREATIONDATE) &gt;= '2014-12-01' AND
        DATE (CREATIONDATE) &lt;= '2014-12-01' AND 
        MYDESCRIPTION IS NOT NULL
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>These two simple queries are just some that I have tried. I suppose the query is still counting the column that has no value as it seems like it has a value.</p>