user772900
user772900

Reputation: 431

whats the difference between '!=' and '<>' in mysql

whats the difference between != and <> in mysql. which symbol is good to user in sql query for not equal condition.can someone tell me whats the pros and cons of using the not equal symbol in mysql.

Upvotes: 35

Views: 32000

Answers (4)

Manuel Retamozo
Manuel Retamozo

Reputation: 1

In some cases, when use mapper frameworks that use xml like mybatis (in java), is very necessary use != instead of <> ,probably you will get an error. Because if you use <> in xml(mybatis) probably need to close tag, and != it's right to use in this case.

like this (check where sql clause)

WHERE c.activate!=0

Upvotes: 0

Gilbert Le Blanc
Gilbert Le Blanc

Reputation: 51565

!= requires 3 keystrokes (Shift, !, =), and <> requires 3 keystrokes (Shift, <, >). However a touch typist has to switch hands to hit that =.

You should definitely use <> over !=. You'll save at least 10 milliseconds of typing for each use.

Upvotes: 87

Bueller
Bueller

Reputation: 2344

There is no difference. According to SQL.org, the != operator is converted to be <> by the compiler/interpreter during execution so in essence it is just an alias.

http://www.sql.org/sql-database/postgresql/manual/functions-comparison.html

Upvotes: 7

Alin P.
Alin P.

Reputation: 44386

There is absolutely no difference in MySQL, but the <> is the variant present in the SQL ISO standard.

If you're interested in trivia I can tell you that Oracle also has ^= apart from those two.

Upvotes: 31

Related Questions