CODEWITHSUNDEEP
sqloracle-database
Mesop
Mesop

Reputation: 5263

Is there any difference between "!=" and "<>" in Oracle Sql?

I would like to know if there are any differences in between the two not equal operators <> and != in Oracle.

Are there cases where they can give different results or different performance?

Upvotes: 149

Views: 354286

Answers (4)

user5063308
user5063308

Reputation: 19

According to this article, != performs faster

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_not_equal_operator.htm

Upvotes: -2

user330315
user330315

Reputation:

No there is no difference at all in functionality.
(The same is true for all other DBMS - most of them support both styles):

Here is the current SQL reference: https://docs.oracle.com/database/121/SQLRF/conditions002.htm#CJAGAABC

The SQL standard only defines a single operator for "not equals" and that is <>

Upvotes: 134

user1403581
user1403581

Reputation:

At university we were taught 'best practice' was to use != when working for employers, though all the operators above have the same functionality.

Upvotes: 1

Quassnoi
Quassnoi

Reputation: 425241

Actually, there are four forms of this operator:

<>
!=
^=

and even

¬= -- worked on some obscure platforms in the dark ages

which are the same, but treated differently when a verbatim match is required (stored outlines or cached queries).

Upvotes: 60

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