Oracle / PLSQL: LEAST Function

This Oracle tutorial explains how to use the Oracle/PLSQL LEAST function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Oracle/PLSQL LEAST function returns the smallest value in a list of expressions.

Syntax

The syntax for the LEAST function in Oracle/PLSQL is:

LEAST( expr1 [, expr2, ... expr_n] )

Parameters or Arguments

expr1

The first expression to evaluate whether it is the smallest.

expr2, ... expr_n

Optional. Additional expressions that are to be evaluated.

Returns

The LEAST function returns a value that is the same datatype as expr1. Having a NULL value in one of the expressions will return NULL as the least value.

Note

• If the datatypes of the expressions are different, all expressions will be converted to whatever datatype expr1 is.
• If the comparison is based on a character comparison, one character is considered smaller than another if it has a lower character set value.

Applies To

The LEAST function can be used in the following versions of Oracle/PLSQL:

• Oracle 12c, Oracle 11g, Oracle 10g, Oracle 9i, Oracle 8i

Example

Let's look at some Oracle LEAST function examples and explore how to use the LEAST function in Oracle/PLSQL.

For example:

LEAST(2, 5, 12, 3)
Output: 2

LEAST('2', '5', '12', '3')
Output: '12'

LEAST('apples', 'oranges', 'bananas')
Output: 'apples'

LEAST('apples', 'applis', 'applas')
Output: 'applas'

LEAST('apples', 'applis', 'applas', null)
Output: NULL