Return latest of 2 dates
What is the best way to compare 2 dates and return the larger date when it cannot be known in advace if both or even either date will exist.
If no dates exist I expect a null, if only 1 date exists I expect that date, but if both exist I expect the later date.
If no dates exist I expect a null, if only 1 date exists I expect that date, but if both exist I expect the later date.
Aneesh
SELECT MAX(urDateColumn) from urTable
ASKER
Let me clarify, I really want to write a User Defined Function(UDF) to return the later of 2 dates, but the UDF must allow 1 or both of the dates to be null and still function. I don't want the MAX from a table.
Or, if you want to manipulate the data later:
SELECT yourIdField, MAX(yourDateColumn) as yourMaxDate FROM yourTable GROUP BY yourIdField
This will return a list of unique IDs, each one being the most recent date. Conversely, you could use MIN() to select the oldest.
SELECT yourIdField, MAX(yourDateColumn) as yourMaxDate FROM yourTable GROUP BY yourIdField
This will return a list of unique IDs, each one being the most recent date. Conversely, you could use MIN() to select the oldest.
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ASKER
Thanks, I'm tired and the simplest and best solution was escaping me, thanks for providing it quickly.