# MAX function

MAX is an aggregate function that evaluates the maximum of an expression over a set of rows (see Aggregates (set functions)). MAX is allowed only on expressions that evaluate to built-in data types (including CHAR, VARCHAR, DATE, TIME, CHAR FOR BIT DATA, etc.).

#### Syntax

    MAX ( [ DISTINCT | ALL ] Expression )

The DISTINCT and ALL qualifiers eliminate or retain duplicates, but these qualifiers have no effect in a MAX expression. Only one DISTINCT aggregate expression per SelectExpression is allowed. For example, the following query is not allowed:

    SELECT COUNT (DISTINCT flying_time), MAX (DISTINCT miles)
    FROM Flights

The Expression can contain multiple column references or expressions, but it cannot contain another aggregate or subquery. It must evaluate to a built-in data type. You can therefore call methods that evaluate to built-in data types. (For example, a method that returns a java.lang.Integer or int evaluates to an INTEGER.) If an expression evaluates to NULL, the aggregate skips that value.

The type's comparison rules determine the maximum value. For CHAR and VARCHAR, the number of blank spaces at the end of the value can affect how MAX is evaluated. For example, if the values 'z' and 'z ' are both stored in a column, you cannot control which one will be returned as the maximum, because blank spaces are ignored for character comparisons.

The resulting data type is the same as the expression on which it operates (it will never overflow).

    -- find the latest date in the FlightAvailability table
    SELECT MAX (flight_date) FROM FlightAvailability
    -- find the longest flight originating from each airport,
    -- but only when the longest flight is over 10 hours
    SELECT MAX(flying_time), orig_airport
    FROM Flights
    GROUP BY orig_airport
    HAVING MAX(flying_time) > 10

Parent topic: Built-in functions