Something like this would work. SELECT GREATEST(FIRST_DATE, NVL(SEC_DATE,THIRD_DATE),NVL(THIRD_DATE,SEC_DATE)) FROM <your_table>; Just an idea, you can explore it further..
-----Original Message----- Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 3:48 PM To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L Hello all, This has probably been discussed here before and I'm sorry if I'm repeating this. But I'd very much appreciate if someone could show me how to use DECODE to select a MAX date where records are like this: PRIM. KEY FIRST_DATE SEC_DATE THIRD_DATE JO001599O 12/14/2000 03/23/2001 05/21/2001 JO001620L 12/27/2000 05/16/2001 The first_date, sec_date and third_date may or may not exist; either one of the dates will be there. I need to come up with another column LATEST_DATE which will show the latest date of the 3. Thanks very much in advance! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: Viktor INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- (858) 538-5051 FAX: (858) 538-5051 San Diego, California -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists -------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: Lyuda Hoska INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- (858) 538-5051 FAX: (858) 538-5051 San Diego, California -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists -------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).
