MAX

The MAX aggregate function returns the maximum value in a set of values in a group.

expression: The argument values can be any built-in data type other than a DataLink or XML.

The data type and length attribute of the result are the same as the data type and length attribute of the argument values. When the argument is a string, the result has the same CCSID as the argument.

If a collating sequence other than *HEX is in effect when the statement that contains the MAX function is executed and the arguments are SBCS data, mixed data, or Unicode data, then the result is obtained by comparing weighted values for each value in the set. The weighted values are based on the collating sequence.

The function is applied to the set of values derived from the argument values by the elimination of null values.

The result can be null. If the set of values is empty, the result is a null value. Otherwise, the result is the maximum value in the set.

The specification of DISTINCT has no effect on the result and is not advised.

Notes

Results involving DECFLOAT special values: If the data type of the argument is decimal floating-point and positive or negative Infinity, sNaN, or NaN is found, the maximum value is determined using decimal floating-point ordering rules. See Numeric comparisons. If multiple representations of the same decimal floating-point value are found (for example, 2.00 and 2.0), it is unpredictable which representation will be returned.

Examples

Using the EMPLOYEE table, set the host variable MAX_SALARY (DECIMAL(7,2)) to the maximum monthly salary (SALARY / 12) value.
```
     SELECT MAX(SALARY) /12
       INTO :MAX_SALARY
       FROM EMPLOYEE
```
Results in MAX_SALARY being set to 4395.83.
Using the PROJECT table, set the host variable LAST_PROJ (CHAR(24)) to the project name (PROJNAME) that comes last in the sort sequence.
```
     SELECT MAX(PROJNAME)
       INTO :LAST_PROJ
       FROM PROJECT
```
Results in LAST_PROJ being set to 'WELD LINE PLANNING '.