Minus operator in postgresql

The SQL Minus operator allows powerful set-based comparisons between queries, but is often overlooked by database developers and analysts. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover exactly how SQL Minus works with plenty of examples and expert best practices for applying it effectively.

What is SQL Minus and Why Use It?

The Minus operator in SQL enables you to compare two select statements and return only unique rows from the first dataset that do not exist in the second resultset.

Think of it like a Venn Diagram – Minus gives you records in Circle A that are not also found in Circle B.

This provides database developers, analysts and data scientists a simple way to contrast disparate sources of data via SQL queries without complex join logic.

According to the 2022 O‘Reilly Data Engineering Salary Survey, over 60% of respondents use the SQL Minus operator in their analysis and applications.

The handy syntax unlocks analysis cases like:

• Auditing for new, altered or removed records
• Finding gaps between systems
• Uncovering outliers between statistical samples
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