SQL nvl equivalent - without if/case statements & isnull & coalesce

select nvl (purge_date,"SODIUFOSDIUFSDOIFUDSF") from id_rec where id=36581;


(expression)

SODIUFOSDIUFSDOIFUDSF

1 row(s) retrieved.

select isnull (purge_date,"SODIUFOSDIUFSDOIFUDSF") from id_rec where id=36581;

  674: Routine (isnull) can not be resolved.
Error in line 1
Near character position 8

select coalesce (purge_date,"SODIUFOSDIUFSDOIFUDSF") from id_rec where id=36581;

  674: Routine (coalesce) can not be resolved.
Error in line 1
Near character position 8

select decode(purge_date, NULL, "01/01/2009", purge_date) from id_rec where id=74115;

  800: Corresponding types must be compatible in CASE expression.
Error in line 1
Near character position 57

SELECT DECODE(purge_date, NULL, '01/01/2009'::DATE, purge_date)

DATE('01/01/2009')
    MDY(1,1,2009)