Compare values of two columns then select the larger value

Question

I need to query a table and select 3 of the values of 4 columns. I need to compare the values of the 3rd column and the fourth column and select the larger value.

For example:

column1  column2  column3  column4  hello    hello      3        5     hi       hi         7        1    

I need to return:

column1  column2  Hybrid  hello    hello     5     hi       hi        7    

I have been trying to use IF/ELSE but I just can't seem to get the syntax correct

Answer 1

In T-SQL the IF command is for programatic control. For example:

• IF x THEN doSQLStatement1 ELSE doSQLStatement2

Within a SQL statement, you need CASE.

CASE WHEN a > b THEN a ELSE b END 

Answer 2

Try this code:

SELECT column1, column2,        (CASE WHEN column3 > column4 THEN column3 ELSE column4 END)   FROM Table1 

Result:

COLUMN1   COLUMN2  Hybrid  hello     hello      5   hi         hi       7 

Here you have complete sample on SQL Fiddle.