Simple aggregation

Question

You'd like to get the signup date of your last member. How can you retrieve this information?

Expected Results

latest
Wed Sep 26 2012 18:08:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Your Answer

Your Results

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Answers and Discussion

select max(joindate) as latest
	from cd.members;

This is our first foray into SQL's aggregate functions. They're used to extract information about whole groups of rows, and allow us to easily ask questions like:

  • What's the most expensive facility to maintain on a monthly basis?
  • Who has recommended the most new members?
  • How much time has each member spent at our facilities?

The MAX aggregate function here is very simple: it receives all the possible values for joindate, and outputs the one that's biggest. There's a lot more power to aggregate functions, which you will come across in future exercises.