Using Max()

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Using Max()

r.stebbens 78867

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November 7, 2013 at 10:48 pm

#300032

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Developer, DBA, Pre-Sales consultant.
November 8, 2013 at 1:05 am

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Ford Fairlane SSCertifiable Points: 7664 More actions · Answer 1

Very good question - got caught out with as well. Should have realized that with out the where clause that each max() is evaluated individually... nice to learn something at the end of the week.

Hope this helps...

Ford Fairlane
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palotaiarpad SSCertifiable Points: 5617 More actions · Answer 2

palotaiarpad

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November 8, 2013 at 12:12 am

#1665002

A good back to basics question. Thanks!

r.stebbens 78867 SSC-Addicted Points: 407 More actions · Answer 3

palotaiarpad (11/8/2013)
A good back to basics question. Thanks!

Indeed, sometimes the basics need to covered. Whilst really technical questions are great, the more commonly used functions are sometimes overlooked....

Developer, DBA, Pre-Sales consultant.

Rune Bivrin SSCrazy Eights Points: 8511 More actions · Answer 4

Ford Fairlane (11/7/2013)
Very good question - got caught out with as well. Should have realized that with out the where clause that each max() is evaluated individually... nice to learn something at the end of the week.

This has very little to do with the absence of a WHERE clause. The aggregate functions are always individually evaluated within the set of rows on which the aggregate operates.

Just because you're right doesn't mean everybody else is wrong.

r.stebbens 78867 SSC-Addicted Points: 407 More actions · Answer 5

Rune Bivrin (11/8/2013)
Ford Fairlane (11/7/2013)
Very good question - got caught out with as well. Should have realized that with out the where clause that each max() is evaluated individually... nice to learn something at the end of the week.
This has very little to do with the absence of a WHERE clause. The aggregate functions are always individually evaluated within the set of rows on which the aggregate operates.

You're right, it's more to do with an assumption that the MAX function "acts" like a WHERE clause, which is why people got the answer wrong.

Developer, DBA, Pre-Sales consultant.

Carlo Romagnano SSC-Insane Points: 22668 More actions · Answer 6

I couldn't believe!

I never expected this kind of question!

It is the same as:

any number multiplied by 0 returns ZERO,

so, you assume that any number added to zero should return ZERO!

:w00t:

SQLDoubleG Hall of Fame Points: 3100 More actions · Answer 7

Good question!

I found it easy even before my coffee :-), and I guess everybody have run this anytime

SELECT MIN(ID), MAX(ID) FROM TABLE

which is pretty the same.

PRAMANA.DBA SSCertifiable Points: 5507 More actions · Answer 8

PRAMANA.DBA

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November 8, 2013 at 1:28 am

#1665012

Easy question for end the week...

waxingsatirical SSC Eights! Points: 934 More actions · Answer 9

I'm sorry, but what?

I'm missing the point of this question. Why would anyone think it could be one of the other answers?

Richard Warr SSCertifiable Points: 6966 More actions · Answer 10

waxingsatirical (11/8/2013)
I'm sorry, but what?
I'm missing the point of this question. Why would anyone think it could be one of the other answers?

I suggest you read some of the posts prior to yours. This may help you in your quandary 🙂

paul.knibbs SSCoach Points: 15320 More actions · Answer 11

I kind of agree with waxingsatirical...it never occurred to me anyone would think this works otherwise, and I spent a good few minutes trying to figure out what unexpected behaviour of MAX() the question could be asking for! Eventually I just gave up and answered what I thought would happen, just to see what the answer was, and was somewhat surprised when that turned out to be correct. Guess I'm too used to QotDs looking for knowledge of odd bugs or weird behaviour!

Ed Wagner SSC Guru Points: 287026 More actions · Answer 12

Good question to end the week. Not everyone knows the basics, so a simple one every once it a while isn't a bad thing.

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SqlMel SSCrazy Points: 2901 More actions · Answer 13

paul.knibbs (11/8/2013)
I kind of agree with waxingsatirical...it never occurred to me anyone would think this works otherwise, and I spent a good few minutes trying to figure out what unexpected behaviour of MAX() the question could be asking for! Eventually I just gave up and answered what I thought would happen, just to see what the answer was, and was somewhat surprised when that turned out to be correct. Guess I'm too used to QotDs looking for knowledge of odd bugs or weird behaviour!

Well, as of now 97 people (29%) have answered incorrectly. So there you go...

---------------
Mel. 😎