---

GREATEST

The GREATEST function returns the largest 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 smallest expression in a list of expressions, use LEAST.

Return Value

The data type of the first expression.

Syntax

GREATEST (expr [, expr]...)

Arguments

expr

An expression.

Examples

Example 7-104 Finding the the Text Expression that is Last Alphabetically

The following statement selects the string that is last in alphabetic sequence.

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

Example 7-105 Finding the Largest Numerical Expression

The following statement selects the number with the greatest value.

SHOW GREATEST (5, 3, 18)
18