Why are my default values always null for checkbox/boolean fields?

Question

I setup a field in Salesforce:

enter image description here

When looking at the metadata for my custom object containing this field, this is the data on that metadata field:

    "defaultValue": null,
    "defaultedOnCreate": true,
    "name": "ABI__c",

Why is the defaultValue null? Shouldn't it be false?

Using REST API v31.0

Update:
I tried defaulting the value to true/checked, but the defaultValue is still null.

Update:
This issue still exists in REST API v32.0

The problem is that a NULL and a FALSE checkbox value appear the same and can both be described as Unchecked. The more important question is what problems are you running into as a result of the NULL values. — Joseph U., Commented Nov 12, 2014 at 20:53
@JosephU. thanks for the feedback. However, I tried setting the default value to true, and it is still null. (I posted a minor edit to my question saying so.) — contactmatt, Commented Nov 12, 2014 at 21:07
Vote up this idea: success.salesforce.com/ideaview?id=08730000000HXSiAAO — Mark Masterson, Commented Nov 13, 2014 at 22:44
@MarkMasterson thanks for the link, I upvoted the issue. I can't believe this bug has been around for years! — contactmatt, Commented Nov 13, 2014 at 22:59

Mark Masterson · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-22 16:44:47Z

4

There doesn't appear to be a way to get the default programmatically at this time, but there is an idea to get this changed.

Update: As noted in the idea comments, this has now grown up and become a real Known Issue/Bug.

answered Nov 14, 2014 at 22:31

Mark Masterson

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