What is this symbol in an SQL query?

Question

where _c1.name<>c2.name

I am confused with the symbol <>. Please explain its meaning.

NimChimpsky · Accepted Answer · 2010-11-08T12:49:52.093

8

Greater than and less than.

In other words not equal to aka !=.

To put it rather confusingly != = <> , yes they can be used interchangeably.

edited Nov 08 '10 at 12:49

answered Nov 08 '10 at 12:38

NimChimpsky

Sure.You CAN - the author of the test you quote did chose not to. – TomTom Nov 08 '10 at 12:49
2

@NoviceToDotNet see this previous question http://stackoverflow.com/questions/723195/should-i-use-or-for-not-equal-in-tsql – mikej Nov 08 '10 at 12:52

mikej · Answer 2 · 2010-11-08T12:48:49.360

3

It means "not equal to". It is an alternative to using !=. Here is a list of the operators used in SQL Server.

It comes from meaning < less than or > greater than. i.e. anything but equal.

edited Nov 08 '10 at 12:48

answered Nov 08 '10 at 12:38

mikej

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 08 '10 at 12:38

3

It means different. Your clause indicates that _c1 and c2 must not have the same name value.

answered Nov 08 '10 at 12:38

Romain Linsolas

3 Answers3