Maximum

In this example you are shows how to use the MAX or MIN functions to find the maximum or minimum over two fields instead of just one.

schema:scott

DROP TABLE t

 CREATE TABLE t(
  id VARCHAR(10),
  x INTEGER,
  y INTEGER );
INSERT INTO t VALUES ('A',1,2);
INSERT INTO t VALUES ('B',4,3);
INSERT INTO t VALUES ('C',5,5);

The function for using MAX over two fields is

max(x,y) = (x + y + ABS(x-y))/2

The function for using MIN over two fields is

min(x,y) = (x + y - ABS(x-y))/2

SELECT id, x, y, (x+y+ABS(x-y))/2 
  FROM t

In MySQL you can also use the GREATEST or LEAST functions to do this.

In Oracle you can also use the GREATEST or LEAST functions to do this.

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