SQL SELECT If (a="") Then change b value

Question

This seems like a simple question, but I haven't been able to find an answer. I am basically trying to do this:

SELECT * FROM table1
IF(columnA > 0) BEGIN
columnB = 'Greater than 0'
END

I don't want the value to change in the table, I just want it to change in the result. ANy suggestions?

use a [case](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ms181765.aspx) expression — Aprillion, Apr 22 '13 at 19:10

score 26 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 22 '13 at 19:11

26

SELECT  ColumnA
        , case when ColumnA > 0 then 'Greater than 0' else ColumnB END AS ColumnB 
FROM    table1;

answered Apr 22 '13 at 19:11

Kevin Suchlicki

1

Wont this just change columnA from 0 to 'Greater than 0' rather than columnB? – Tyler Mortensen Apr 22 '13 at 19:13
1

Tyler, it's only *checking* columnA as the condition for the case statement. The second column is either "Greater than 0" or the table value of ColumnB. Try it. – Kevin Suchlicki Apr 22 '13 at 19:16

score 7 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 22 '13 at 19:55

7

This should work:

SELECT columnA, IIF(columnA > 0, 'Greater than 0', columnB)
  FROM table1;

edited Apr 22 '13 at 19:55

vlad

answered Apr 22 '13 at 19:16

Ted Hopp

I don't think "IF" is a function that takes 3 parameters. – Nick Vaccaro Apr 22 '13 at 19:45
I was just informed that there's an "IIF" function. I'll assume that's what you meant, then slap myself in the head. Please edit so I may upvote! – Nick Vaccaro Apr 22 '13 at 19:54
@NickVaccaro - See the docs [here](http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.5/en/control-flow-functions.html#function_if) – Ted Hopp Apr 22 '13 at 19:55
@TedHopp this is a `sql-server`-tagged question – vlad Apr 22 '13 at 19:55
3

@TedHopp np. I like `IIF` better in this 'case' (pun intended) – vlad Apr 22 '13 at 19:57

2 Answers2