How to get the max of two values in MySQL?

Question

I tried but failed:

mysql> select max(1,0);

ERROR 1064 (42000): You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual 
that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use 
near '0)' at line 1

Answer 1

Select maximum from where?

SELECT MAX(colum_from_where_you_need_maximum) FROM (table_name)

Answer 2

Use GREATEST()

Eg:

SELECT GREATEST(2,1);