Result of Max() function for the varchar datatype in SQL

Question

Post reply

Result of Max() function for the varchar datatype in SQL

saranram_forum

SSC-Addicted

Points: 410
More actions
November 16, 2009 at 4:35 am

#139447

Hi,
What is result of the query if i use max function for the field which datatype is varchar
Ex:
Select Max(sname) from Student

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply

SwePeso SSC-Dedicated Points: 39757 More actions · Answer 1

You will get the student with last character of your alphabet, probably Z.

Zanzibar is MAX over Sweden. It's the way they are sorted.

N 56°04'39.16"
E 12°55'05.25"

savee Say Hey Kid Points: 711 More actions · Answer 2

hi

its simply returns the last sname in alphabetical order....

Its something similar to

select top 1 sname from students order by sname desc

LutzM SSC Guru Points: 107049 More actions · Answer 3

To be a little more specific:

to find the max sname is like searching for the largest ASCII value of the first position of sname, continues moving to the right for ties.

SELECT max(sname) from(

select char(8) + 'Zanzibar' AS sname UNION ALL

select 'Zanzibar' UNION ALL

select 'zanzibar' UNION ALL

select ' Zanzibar' UNION ALL

select '_Zanzibar' UNION ALL

select '1Zanzibar' UNION ALL

select '9anzibar' UNION ALL

select '~anzibar') t

Lutz
A pessimist is an optimist with experience.

How to get fast answers to your question[/url]
How to post performance related questions[/url]
Links for Tally Table [/url] , Cross Tabs [/url] and Dynamic Cross Tabs [/url], Delimited Split Function[/url]

Paul White SSC Guru Points: 150468 More actions · Answer 4

The sorting order is defined by the collation used.

See Working With Collations

Paul White
All articles available on SQL.kiwi
@SQL_Kiwi