Oracle / PLSQL: LEAST Function
This Oracle tutorial explains how to use the Oracle/PLSQL LEAST function with syntax and examples.
Description
The Oracle/PLSQL LEAST function returns the smallest value in a list of expressions.
Syntax
The syntax for the LEAST function in Oracle/PLSQL is:
LEAST( expr1 [, expr2, ... expr_n] )
Parameters or Arguments
- expr1
- The first expression to evaluate whether it is the smallest.
- expr2, ... expr_n
- Optional. Additional expressions that are to be evaluated.
Returns
The LEAST function returns a value that is the same datatype as expr1.
Having a NULL value in one of the expressions will return NULL as the least value.
Note
- If the datatypes of the expressions are different, all expressions will be converted to whatever datatype expr1 is.
- If the comparison is based on a character comparison, one character is considered smaller than another if it has a lower character set value.
Applies To
The LEAST function can be used in the following versions of Oracle/PLSQL:
- Oracle 12c, Oracle 11g, Oracle 10g, Oracle 9i, Oracle 8i
Example
Let's look at some Oracle LEAST function examples and explore how to use the LEAST function in Oracle/PLSQL.
For example:
LEAST(2, 5, 12, 3) Result: 2 LEAST('2', '5', '12', '3') Result: '12' LEAST('apples', 'oranges', 'bananas') Result: 'apples' LEAST('apples', 'applis', 'applas') Result: 'applas' LEAST('apples', 'applis', 'applas', null) Result: NULL
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