Oracle / PLSQL: GREATEST Function

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

Description

The Oracle/PLSQL GREATEST function returns the greatest value in a list of expressions.

Syntax

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

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

Parameters or Arguments

expr1

The first expression to be evaluated whether it is the greatest.

expr2, ... expr_n

Optional. Additional expressions that are to be evaluated.

Returns

The GREATEST function returns a value that is the same datatype as expr1.

Note

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

Applies To

The GREATEST 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 GREATEST function examples and explore how to use the GREATEST function in Oracle/PLSQL.

For example:

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

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

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

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