Does anyone have an efficient way to only update columns with values?

It currently seems that when you call EDIT {DB Table} any inputs that are empty or null are updated as such in the record. I would like to make my inputs optional and only update when a value exists.

I am wondering if anyone has also implemented this and how they did it.

For now I am thinking I need to pull (READ) the record and then compare each input for empty or null and if so replace with current value before I call the EDIT.

I am also working out how I want to recognise when the user intends to remove the value.

Thanks!