What's the best way to express inequality in T-SQL queries?

Data and Databases
1

Hey everyone,

I’m a bit confused about the different ways to show inequality in T-SQL. I’ve come across two options: != and <>. They both seem to work, but I’m not sure which one I should be using.

-- Option 1
SELECT * FROM users WHERE age != 30;

-- Option 2
SELECT * FROM customers WHERE status <> 'inactive';

Does anyone know if there’s a preferred method? Is one faster or more widely accepted than the other? I kind of like != because it feels more familiar from other programming languages, but I’m open to suggestions.

Also, are there any situations where you’d use one over the other? Thanks for any insights you can share!

2

yo liam, ‘<>’ is prolly more common in T-SQL. both work fine tho. personally i use ‘<>’ cuz it’s what i learned first. haven’t noticed any speed diffs. maybe stick with one for consistency? choice might depend on your team’s style guide or personal preference.

3

hi liam, i reckon ‘<>’ is more typical in sql, though ‘!=’ works too. have you seen any benchmarks to reveal a tangible diff in speed? what u think might be the real reason to choose one over the other?

4

In T-SQL, both ‘<>’ and ‘!=’ are valid for expressing inequality, but ‘<>’ is generally considered the standard SQL syntax. This adherence to SQL standards can improve code portability across different database systems. Performance-wise, there’s no significant difference between the two operators. The choice often comes down to coding conventions within your organization or personal preference. However, consistently using ‘<>’ throughout your codebase can enhance readability and maintainability, especially when collaborating with other SQL developers who may be more accustomed to this syntax. Ultimately, the key is to select one approach and apply it consistently across your queries.