PLSQL | GREATEST Function
The GREATEST is an inbuilt function in PLSQL which is used to return the greatest value from a given list of some expressions. These expressions may be numbers, alphabets etc.
Syntax:
GREATEST(exp1, exp2, ... exp_n)
Parameters Used:
This function accept some parameters like exp1, exp2, … exp_n. These each expression may be numbers or alphabets on which GREATEST() function is called.
Return Value:
This function returns the greatest value from a given list of expressions.
Supported Versions of Oracle/PLSQL is given below:
- Oracle 12c
- Oracle 11g
- Oracle 10g
- Oracle 9i
- Oracle 8i
Let’s see some examples which illustrate the GREATEST function:
Example-1:
DECLARE Test_Number number1 := 1; Test_Number number2 := 2; Test_Number number3 := 5; Test_Number number4 := 30; BEGIN dbms_output.put_line(GREATEST(Test_Number number1, Test_Number number2, Test_Number number3, Test_Number number4)); END;
Output:
30
In the above example, some list of numbers is taken as the parameter out of which greatest number is returned as the output. for example, 1, 2, 5 and 30 is taken as the parameter out of which 30 is returned because it is the greatest number.
Example-2:
DECLARE Test_Number number1 := 'a'; Test_Number number2 := 'b'; Test_Number number3 := 'c'; BEGIN dbms_output.put_line(GREATEST(Test_Number number1, Test_Number number2, Test_Number number3)); END;
Output:
c
In the above example, some list of alphabets is taken as the parameter out of which greatest in count alphabet is returned as the output. for example, a, b and c is taken as the parameter out of which c is returned because it is the greatest in the count.
Example-3:
DECLARE Test_Number number1 := 0; Test_Number number2 := -4; Test_Number number3 := 0.6; BEGIN dbms_output.put_line(GREATEST(Test_Number number1, Test_Number number2, Test_Number number3)); END;
Output:
0.6
In the above example, some list of numbers is taken as the parameter out of which greatest number is returned as the output. for example, 0, -4 and 0.6 is taken as the parameter out of which 0.6 is returned because it is the greatest number.
Advantage:
This function is used to find the greatest expression out of the given input expressions. This expression might be any numbers or alphabets.
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