SQL MIN() and MAX()

SQL MIN() and MAX() are functions that are used to find the minimum and maximum values, respectively, in a column of a table in a SQL database.

These functions are commonly used in queries to retrieve specific data from a database.

Using MIN()

The MIN() function is used to find the smallest value in a column.

The basic syntax for using the MIN() function is as follows:

SELECT MIN(column_name)
FROM table_name;

For example, if you have a table named "employees" with a column named "salary", you can find the lowest salary in the table using the following query:

SELECT MIN(salary)
FROM employees;

You can also use the MIN() function in conjunction with other clauses in a query.

For example, you can use it in combination with a WHERE clause to find the lowest salary of employees in a specific department:

SELECT MIN(salary)
FROM employees
WHERE department = 'IT';

Using MAX()

The MAX() function is used to find the largest value in a column.

The basic syntax for using the MAX() function is similar to that of the MIN() function:

SELECT MAX(column_name)
FROM table_name;

For example, if you have a table named "employees" with a column named "salary", you can find the highest salary in the table using the following query:

SELECT MAX(salary)
FROM employees;

You can also use the MAX() function in conjunction with other clauses in a query.

For example, you can use it in combination with a WHERE clause to find the highest salary of employees in a specific department:

SELECT MAX(salary)
FROM employees
WHERE department = 'IT';

Combining MIN() and MAX()

It is also possible to use both the MIN() and MAX() functions in a single query to find both the smallest and largest values in a column.

For example, the following query finds both the lowest and highest salaries in the "employees" table:

SELECT MIN(salary), MAX(salary)
FROM employees;

You can also use it in conjunction with GROUP BY clause to find the min and max values grouped by a specific column.

SELECT department, MIN(salary), MAX(salary)
FROM employees
GROUP BY department;

In conclusion, the MIN() and MAX() functions in SQL are useful for finding the smallest and largest values in a column, respectively.

These functions can be used on their own or in combination with other clauses in a query to retrieve specific data from a database.