GREATEST

The GREATEST function returns the largest expression in a list of expressions. All expressions after the first are implicitly converted to the data type of the first expression before the comparison.

To retrieve the smallest expression in a list of expressions, use LEAST.

Return Value

The data type of the first expression.

Syntax

GREATEST (expr [, expr]...)

Parameters

expr: An expression.

Examples

Finding the Text Expression that is Last Alphabetically

The following statement selects the string that is last in alphabetic sequence.

SHOW GREATEST ('Harry', 'Harriot', 'Harold')
Harry

Finding the Largest Numerical Expression

The following statement selects the number with the greatest value.

SHOW GREATEST (5, 3, 18)
18