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LEAST

The LEAST function returns the smallest expression in a list of expressions. All expressions after the first are implicitly converted to the data type of the first expression before the comparison.

To retrieve the largest expression in a list of expressions, use GREATEST.

Return Value

The data type of the first expression.

Syntax

LEAST (expr [, expr]...)

Parameters

expr

An expression.

Examples

Example 8-7 Finding the Text Expression that is First Alphabetically

The following statement returns the string that is first in alphabetic sequence.

SHOW LEAST('Harry','Harriot','Harold')
Harold 

Example 8-8 Finding the Smallest Numerical Expressions

The following statement selects the number with the smallest value.

SHOW LEAST (5, 3, 18)
3