Function in psql to Compare two numbers and return the bigger value

You want GREATEST()

<http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.2/interactive/functions-conditional.ht
ml#AEN13140>

-----Original Message-----
From: pgsql-general-owner@postgresql.org
[mailto:pgsql-general-owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Emi Lu
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:37 PM
To: pgsql-general@postgresql.org
Subject: [GENERAL] Function in psql to Compare two numbers and return
the bigger value

HEllo,

I am looking for a psql method to get the bigger value of two numbers.

For example,

methodName(12.6, 3.8)

Will return 12.6

Thanks!

---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
TIP 6: explain analyze is your friend

Emi Lu wrote:

HEllo,

I am looking for a psql method to get the bigger value of two numbers.

For example,

methodName(12.6, 3.8)

select greatest(12.6,3.8);

I am looking for a psql method to get the bigger value of two numbers.

For example,

methodName(12.6, 3.8)

select greatest(12.6,3.8);

It does not work for me,
select greatest(12.6,3.8);
ERROR: function greatest(numeric, numeric) does not exist
HINT: No function matches the given name and argument types. You may
need to add explicit type casts.

In 8.1 docs, it says that:
GREATEST(value [, ...])
LEAST(value [, ...])

* Note that GREATEST and LEAST are not in the SQL standard, but are a
common extension. *

Does it mean it is not allowed to use "select greatest(12.6,3.8)" ?

thanks

Emi Lu wrote:

I am looking for a psql method to get the bigger value of two numbers.

For example,

methodName(12.6, 3.8)

select greatest(12.6,3.8);

It does not work for me,
select greatest(12.6,3.8);
ERROR: function greatest(numeric, numeric) does not exist
HINT: No function matches the given name and argument types. You may
need to add explicit type casts.

In 8.1 docs, it says that:
GREATEST(value [, ...])
LEAST(value [, ...])

* Note that GREATEST and LEAST are not in the SQL standard, but are a
common extension. *

Does it mean it is not allowed to use "select greatest(12.6,3.8)" ?

I see the reason, my version is 8.0.8. The doc is for 8.1.

Thank you for all your help!

Emi Lu wrote:

Does it mean it is not allowed to use "select greatest(12.6,3.8)" ?

It may mean you're not running 8.1? Here's what I get:
-----------------------------------------------------------
->psql
Welcome to psql 8.1.4, the PostgreSQL interactive terminal.

Type: \copyright for distribution terms
\h for help with SQL commands
\? for help with psql commands
\g or terminate with semicolon to execute query
\q to quit

swampler=# select GREATEST(6.3, 2.8);
greatest
----------
6.3
(1 row)

swampler=# select greatest(6.3, 2.8);
greatest
----------
6.3
(1 row)

swampler=#
-----------------------------------------------------------

--
Steve Wampler -- swampler@noao.edu
The gods that smiled on your birth are now laughing out loud.