Compatibility
MIN(f)
Engine	OK	Alternative
ingres	Yes
mysql	Yes
oracle	Yes
postgres	Yes
sqlserver	Yes

MIN

MIN finds the smallest values in a column or part of a column

MIN is an aggregate function it is normally used with GROUP BY.

  SELECT region, MIN(name)
    FROM bbc
   GROUP BY region

With a GROUP BY region statement each region shows up just once. The MIN column gives the "smallest" name in the region in the context of strings this is the first name alphabetically.

SELECT region, MIN(name)
  FROM bbc
 GROUP BY region