Re: impact of running MAX() on a varchar field ?

Jack wrote:

> Greetings,
>
> I am de-duping some rows (group by custID) and placing MAX() on all
> other fields which are varchar. Does anyone know what the effect of
> doing MAX() on varchar fields is ?

It returns the MAX() text value based on the sort order of the character set.

> Will it randomly select the MAX
> value of any of these
> fields across duplicate cust IDs (mixing fields from different rows),
> or will it randomly select a custID and retain that row's attributes
> with integrity?
> Thanks,
>
> Jack

The MAX() is the value FOR THAT COLUMN. thus yes it will mix fields from different rows. But there is nothing RANDOM about it.

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Ed Prochak
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