Getting the minimum of two values in sql

Question

I have two variables, on is called PaidThisMonth, and the other is called OwedPast. They are both results of some subqueries in SQL. How can I select the smaller of the two and return it as a value titled PaidForPast?

The MIN function works on columns, not variables.

Answer 1

use Case:

   Select Case When @PaidThisMonth < @OwedPast 
               Then @PaidThisMonth Else @OwedPast End PaidForPast

As Inline table valued UDF

CREATE FUNCTION Minimum
(@Param1 Integer, @Param2 Integer)
Returns Table As
Return(Select Case When @Param1 < @Param2 
                   Then @Param1 Else @Param2 End MinValue)

Usage:

Select MinValue as PaidforPast 
From dbo.Minimum(@PaidThisMonth, @OwedPast)

Answer 2

Use a CASE statement.

Example B should be close to what you're trying to do: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms181765.aspx