title: In SQL Server, how to have select return empty string and not null when null
body: <p>I have a nullable varchar and even when it is null, I want my select to return an empty string and not null.  That is</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT FIRST, LAST 
  FROM CUSTOMER
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>What I want is if <code>FIRST</code> is null, I want the return to be <code>""</code></p>