True/False MAX VS SELECT Top 1

Question

True/False MAX VS SELECT Top 1

Bobby Glover

SSCarpal Tunnel

Points: 4143
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August 14, 2012 at 4:50 am

#260696

Just read this on the net, seems very staright forward and simple.
Anyone with any different views?
When a clustered index is present on the table & column that is to be selected, both the MAX() operator and the query (SELECT TOP 1 ColumnName order by ColumnName) have almost identical performance.
When there is no clustered index on the table & column to be queried, the MAX() operator offers the better performance.
I hope you enjoyed the article and please feel free to post any comments, questions and feedback below.

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Adi Cohn-120898 SSC-Dedicated Points: 33944 More actions · Answer 1

Can you post a URL to the article? I've just checked it on 2 tables and get 2 query plans with almost the same cost. Maybe there is some more information, but from what I know, and from my very little test, it doesn't seem to be true.

Adi

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Bobby Glover SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4143 More actions · Answer 2

Here you go.

http://www.johnsansom.com/performance-comparison-of-select-top-1-verses-max/

Luis Cazares SSC Guru Points: 183706 More actions · Answer 3

This way is easier for everyone

http://www.johnsansom.com/performance-comparison-of-select-top-1-verses-max/

Luis C.
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