Not Equal In SQL

Galaxy Glossary

How do you compare values to ensure they are not equal in SQL?

The `!=` or `<>` operator in SQL is used to check if two values are not equal. It's a fundamental comparison operator used in WHERE clauses to filter data based on inequality.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Description

The `!=` (not equal to) or `<>` (not equal to) operator is a crucial part of SQL's comparison capabilities. It allows you to filter records in a table based on whether a specific column's value does not match a given value. This is essential for tasks like finding all customers who haven't placed an order yet, or identifying products that are not in stock. The `!=` and `<>` operators are functionally equivalent and interchangeable in most SQL dialects. Using these operators in a `WHERE` clause is a common practice to extract specific data subsets from a table. For instance, you might want to retrieve all employees whose salary is not equal to a certain amount. The operator's simplicity belies its importance in data retrieval and manipulation.

Why Not Equal In SQL is important

The `!=` or `<>` operator is fundamental for filtering data based on conditions. It's a core component of data retrieval and manipulation, enabling developers to extract specific subsets of data from a database. This operator is crucial for tasks ranging from simple data analysis to complex data manipulation.

Example Usage


-- Sample table: Customers
CREATE TABLE Customers (
    CustomerID INT PRIMARY KEY,
    FirstName VARCHAR(50),
    LastName VARCHAR(50),
    City VARCHAR(50)
);

INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, FirstName, LastName, City) VALUES
(1, 'John', 'Doe', 'New York'),
(2, 'Jane', 'Smith', 'Los Angeles'),
(3, 'Peter', 'Jones', 'Chicago'),
(4, 'David', 'Williams', 'New York');

-- Query to find customers who do not live in New York
SELECT FirstName, LastName
FROM Customers
WHERE City <> 'New York';

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to use the correct operator (`!=` or `<>`).
Using the incorrect comparison operator (e.g., `=` instead of `!=`).
Incorrectly specifying the value being compared against.

Not Equal In SQL

How do you compare values to ensure they are not equal in SQL?

Description

Why Not Equal In SQL is important

Example Usage

Common Mistakes

Want to learn about other SQL terms?

With Cte In SQL

Where Vs Having SQL

Windows Functions In SQL