Introduction
On this article, we look at the elemental SQL BETWEEN operator and look at its functions, necessities, and adaptableness to completely different varieties of information. You’ll get hold of a radical understanding of use the BETWEEN operator in your SQL queries, from comprehending the elemental syntax to utilizing it in real-world situations with dates, numbers, and texts. We additionally provide greatest practices and insights on potential risks to ensure appropriate outcomes, making this a helpful handbook for anybody wishing to enhance their SQL talents.
Overview
- Perceive the aim and syntax of the SQL BETWEEN operator for filtering knowledge in relational databases.
- Apply the SQL BETWEEN to successfully filter date ranges in SQL queries.
- Make the most of the SQL BETWEEN operator to filter numeric knowledge inside specified ranges in SQL queries.
- Implement the SQL BETWEEN operator to filter strings based mostly on alphabetical order in SQL queries.
- Observe greatest practices and keep away from frequent pitfalls when utilizing the SQL BETWEEN operator in SQL queries.
What’s SQL Between?
To grasp and work with relational databases higher, it’s important to first perceive what constitutes a single situation. A situation in SQL consists of a number of expressions mixed with a number of operators. Expressions may be diverse, together with:
- Numbers
- Columns in a desk or view
- String literals, like ‘Teller’
- Constructed-in features, akin to `concat(‘Studying’, ‘ ‘, ‘SQL’)`
- Subqueries
- Lists of expressions, akin to `(‘Teller’, ‘Head Teller’, ‘Operations Supervisor’)`
Operators utilized in situations embrace:
- Comparability Operators: =, !=, <, >, <>, LIKE, IN, and BETWEEN
- Arithmetic Operators: +, −, *, and /
Within the upcoming sections, let’s have a look at the “BETWEEN” operator intimately and likewise have a look at its syntax.
Functions of the BETWEEN Operator
When each an higher and decrease restrict for a spread are required, the BETWEEN operator generally is a extra helpful choice than utilizing two separate situations.
Utilizing BETWEEN on Dates
SELECT emp_id, fname, lname, start_date
FROM worker
WHERE start_date BETWEEN '2005-01-01' AND '2007-01-01';
This question retrieves all workers whose begin date falls inside 1 Jan, 2005 to 1 Jan, 2007. Right here is the consequence:
When utilizing the BETWEEN operator, take into accout to all the time specify the decrease restrict first, adopted by the higher restrict. If you happen to reverse them:
SELECT emp_id, fname, lname, start_date
FROM worker
WHERE start_date BETWEEN '2007-01-01' AND '2005-01-01';
This question returns no outcomes as a result of it’s equal to:
SELECT emp_id, fname, lname, start_date
FROM worker
WHERE start_date >= '2007-01-01'
AND start_date <= '2005-01-01';
It’s inconceivable to fulfill each situations concurrently, leading to an empty set.
Moreover, do not forget that this operator consists of the boundary values. So, in case your meant vary is from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2006, guarantee your question displays that precisely to keep away from unintended inclusions or exclusions.
Utilizing BETWEEN in Numeric Information
SELECT account_id, product_cd, cust_id, avail_balance
FROM account
WHERE avail_balance BETWEEN 3000 AND 5000 order by avail_balance;
This question retrieves all accounts with balances between $3,000 and $5,000:
BETWEEN in Strings
SELECT emp_id, fname, lname, start_date
FROM worker
WHERE fname BETWEEN 'Laura' AND 'Susan';
This question will retrieve the data containing names between Laura and Susan in dictionary order together with each Laura and Susan from the beforehand seen Worker desk.
Additionally Learn: Understanding SQL Not Equal Operator
Conclusion
The BETWEEN clause is a necessary operator in SQL. Whether or not working with dates, numbers, and even strings, it simplifies situations that will in any other case require a number of comparability operators. Bear in mind to all the time specify the decrease restrict first and be conscious that the vary consists of the boundary values. By understanding and using them successfully, it would make working relational databases a lot simpler.
Regularly Requested Questions
A. The `BETWEEN` operator doesn’t embrace rows the place the column worth is NULL. It solely considers rows the place the column worth falls throughout the specified vary.
A. The BETWEEN operator can be utilized in JOIN situations to specify range-based joins.
For instance:
SELECT a.*, b.*
FROM table_a a
JOIN table_b b
ON a.worth BETWEEN b.start_value AND b.end_value;