SQL Puzzle | Find Minimum Value from Multiple Columns Puzzle

In this puzzle you have to find minimum value from multiple columns other than the NULL and zero value. For more details please check the sample input and expected output.

Sample Input

Expected Output

Script

Use below script to create table and insert sample data into it.

--

CREATE TABLE FindMinimumNotNULL
(
	 Id INT
	,a INT
	,b INT 
	,c DECIMAL(10,2)
	,d DECIMAL(10,2)
	,e INT
	,f DECIMAL(10,2)
)
GO

INSERT INTO FindMinimumNotNULL (Id,a,b,c,d,e,f) Values 
(1,NULL,0,918.09,162.12,NULL,675.72),
(2,NULL,0,761.09,19.12,NULL,231.72)
GO

SELECT * FROM FindMinimumNotNULL
GO

--

Rules/Restrictions

The solution should be should use “SELECT” statement or “CTE”.

Add your solution(s) in the comments section or send you solution(s) to pawankkmr@gmail.com

Solution – 1 | USING VALUES

--


SELECT Id,
(
       SELECT MIN(v)
       FROM 
	   (
          VALUES (a) , (b), (c) ,(d) ,(e) , (f) 
       ) as value(v)
	   WHERE v > 0
) as MinimumValue 
FROM FindMinimumNotNULL 

--

Output-1

--                            

Id          MinimumValue
----------- ---------------------------------------
1           162.12
2           19.12

(2 rows affected)

--

Solution – 2 | USING UNPIVOT METHOD

--


SELECT Id,MIN(mmin) MinimumValue
FROM 
(
    SELECT Id,CAST(a AS DECIMAL(10,2)) a 
    ,CAST(b AS DECIMAL(10,2)) b 
	,CAST(c AS DECIMAL(10,2)) c
	,CAST(d AS DECIMAL(10,2)) d 
	,CAST(e AS DECIMAL(10,2)) e
	,CAST(f AS DECIMAL(10,2)) f
    FROM FindMinimumNotNULL
) t
UNPIVOT (mmin FOR vals IN (a,b,c,d,e,f)) u
WHERE mmin > 0
GROUP BY Id

--

Output-2

--                            

Id          MinimumValue
----------- ---------------------------------------
1           162.12
2           19.12

(2 rows affected)

--

Related Puzzle

Add a comment if you have any other or better solution in mind. I would love to learn it. We all need to learn.

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