MIN [aggregate]

Returns the smallest value of an expression over a group of rows. The return value has the same type as the expression data type.

The MIN analytic function differs from the aggregate function, in that it returns the minimum value of an expression over a group of rows within a window.

Aggregate functions MIN and MAX can operate with Boolean values. MAX can act upon a Boolean data type or a value that can be implicitly converted to a Boolean. If at least one input value is true, MAX returns t (true). Otherwise, it returns f (false). In the same scenario, MIN returns t (true) if all input values are true. Otherwise it returns f.

Behavior type

Syntax

MIN ( expression )

Parameters

expression

Any expression for which the minimum value is calculated, typically a column reference.

Examples

The following query returns the lowest salary from the employee dimension table.

This example shows how you can query to return the lowest salary from the employee dimension table.

=> SELECT MIN(annual_salary) AS lowest_paid FROM employee_dimension;
 lowest_paid
-------------
        1200
(1 row)

The following example shows you the difference between the MIN and MAX aggregate functions when you use them with a Boolean value. The sample creates a table, adds two rows of data, and shows sample output for MIN and MAX.

=> CREATE TABLE min_max_functions (torf BOOL);

=> INSERT INTO min_max_functions VALUES (1);
=> INSERT INTO min_max_functions VALUES (0);

=> SELECT * FROM min_max_functions;
  torf
------
 t
 f
(2 rows)

=> SELECT min(torf) FROM min_max_functions;
 min
-----
 f
(1 row)

=> SELECT max(torf) FROM min_max_functions;
 max
-----
 t
(1 row)

See also