The webpage explains the SQL MIN() and MAX() functions, which are used to find the smallest and largest values in a selected column of a database table.

• MIN(): Returns the smallest value in the specified column.

  • Example: SELECT MIN(Price) FROM Products;

• MAX(): Returns the largest value in the specified column.

  • Example: SELECT MAX(Price) FROM Products;

• Syntax:

  • SELECT MIN(column_name) FROM table_name WHERE condition;
  • SELECT MAX(column_name) FROM table_name WHERE condition;

• You can use the AS keyword to give the output column a custom name (alias).

  • Example: SELECT MIN(Price) AS SmallestPrice FROM Products;

• Group By Usage: You can combine MIN() with GROUP BY to get the smallest value for each group/category.

  • Example: SELECT MIN(Price) AS SmallestPrice, CategoryID FROM Products GROUP BY CategoryID;

Sample data and interactive SQL editors are provided to practice these queries. There is also a basic exercise asking what the MIN() function does, with the correct answer being that it returns the smallest value of the selected column.[1]

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SQL MIN() and MAX() Functions

The SQL MIN() and MAX() Functions

The MIN() function returns the smallest value of the selected column.

The MAX() function returns the largest value of the selected column.

Find the lowest price in the Price column:

SELECT MIN(Price)  
FROM Products;

Find the highest price in the Price column:

SELECT MAX(Price)  
FROM Products;

Syntax

SELECT MIN(column_name)
FROM table_name
WHERE condition;

SELECT MAX(column_name)
FROM table_name
WHERE condition;

Demo Database

Below is a selection from the Products table used in the examples:

Set Column Name (Alias)

When you use MIN() or MAX(), the returned column will not have a descriptive name. To give the column a descriptive name, use the AS keyword:

SELECT MIN(Price) AS SmallestPrice  
FROM Products;

Use MIN() with GROUP BY

Here we use the MIN() function and the GROUP BY clause, to return the smallest price for each category in the Products table:

SELECT MIN(Price) AS SmallestPrice, CategoryID  
FROM Products  
GROUP BY CategoryID;

You will learn more about the GROUP BY clause later in this tutorial.