SQL BETWEEN Operators with Examples

December 20, 2023

SQL Like Operator

Introduction to Between Operator

The SQL BETWEEN operator is used to filter data within a specified range. It is commonly used in SQL queries to retrieve rows that fall within a certain value range for a particular column. The BETWEEN operator selects values that are within a specified range inclusively.

In this article, we will explore the various aspects of the SQL Between Operator, its syntax, usage of wildcard characters, performance considerations, best practices, and real-world use cases.

What is the SQL BETWEEN operator?

The SQL BETWEEN operator is a comparison operator that allows us to retrieve data within a specific range. It is used in conjunction with numerical values, date values, or even alphanumeric data to filter records that fall between a given range.

  • This operator is commonly employed in SELECT statements to create precise queries that fetch data satisfying the specified conditions.

Syntax of the SQL Between Operator

  • The basic syntax of the SQL LIKE Operator is as follows:
  • The column_name represents the name of the column to search, table_name is the name of the table, and ‘pattern‘ is the specific pattern we want to find within the column.
SELECT column_name(s)
FROM table_name
WHERE column_name BETWEEN value1 AND value2;

Using the SQL BETWEEN operator with dates

The SQL BETWEEN operator is also applicable to date values. When applied to date columns, it retrieves records with dates falling within the given range.

Example 1: Examples of using the BETWEEN operator with dates

  • Suppose we have an “Orders” table with a column “OrderDate” storing the date of each order.
  • To fetch orders placed between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023, the SQL query would be:
SELECT OrderID
FROM Orders
WHERE OrderDate BETWEEN '2023-01-01' AND '2023-03-31';

Combining the SQL BETWEEN operator with other SQL clauses

SELECT ProductName
FROM Products
WHERE Price BETWEEN 50 AND 100
AND Category = 'Electronics';

SELECT ProductName
FROM Products
WHERE Price NOT BETWEEN 50 AND 100;

SELECT *
FROM Employees
WHERE Age BETWEEN 25 AND 35 AND Department = 'Marketing';
SQL Between Operator
  • The SQL query you provided is selecting the “item” and “amount” columns from the “Orders” table, but only for the rows where the “amount” falls between 300 and 500 (inclusive).
  • The result of the query is a list of items and their respective amounts that meet this condition.
SELECT item, amount
FROM Orders
WHERE amount BETWEEN 300 AND 500;
item          amount
Phone Cover   300
USB Cable     400
Pendrive      500

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The SQL BETWEEN operator offers several advantages, such as:
  • Ease of use for filtering data within a range.
  • Versatility to work with numerical and date values.
However, it also has some limitations:
  • Inclusion of boundary values might cause confusion in certain scenarios.
  • It may not be the most efficient option for very large datasets.

Case-Sensitive Searches

  • If you need a case-sensitive search, you can adjust the collation or use the BINARY operator.

Case-Insensitive Searches

  • For case-insensitive searches, ensure the collation is set accordingly, or convert the search term and the column data to the same case.

Performance considerations and best practices

When using the SQL BETWEEN operator, consider the following tips for optimal performance:

  • Avoid using the BETWEEN operator with large datasets without proper indexing.
    Be cautious with date range queries, as they can be sensitive to time zone differences.
    Always validate the input values to ensure accurate results.

Conclusion

The SQL BETWEEN operator is a powerful tool for filtering data within specific ranges, making it an indispensable part of any SQL developer’s toolkit. Whether you need to query numerical data or date-based records, the BETWEEN operator allows you to retrieve precise information efficiently.

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Question 1.

Does the SQL BETWEEN operator include the boundary values?

Yes, the SQL BETWEEN operator is inclusive, meaning it includes the boundary values in the result set.

Question 2.

Are there any alternatives to the SQL BETWEEN operator? 

Yes, you can achieve similar functionality using the combination of >= (greater than or equal) and <= (less than or equal) operators.

Question 3.

Can the SQL BETWEEN operator work with NULL values?

The behavior of the SQL BETWEEN operator with NULL values might vary across database systems. It’s essential to consider NULL handling in your specific database environment.

Question 4.

Is the SQL BETWEEN operator case-sensitive?

The SQL BETWEEN operator is generally not case-sensitive for numeric and date values. However, it may be case-sensitive for certain string comparisons, depending on the database collation settings. Always review your database documentation for specific details.

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