Get MAX value of a BIT column

How to navigate BITs and pieces of SQL

Casting BIT to INT for comparisons

Sometimes, you may need to cast a BIT to INT for comparisons or computations. Here's how you do it:

-- When the going gets tough, the tough gets casting...
SELECT MAX(CAST(bit_column AS INT)) AS MaxInt
FROM your_table;


Maximum DIMENSION in BIT-field galaxy using JOINs

Dealing with multiple tables? No problem, combine JOIN with our mighty MAX():

-- Oh look, a wild JOIN appeared! It used CASTing - it's super effective!
SELECT s.Name, MAX(CAST(b.BoolValue AS INT)) AS MaxBoolValue
FROM SURNAME s
JOIN BOOL b ON s.PersId = b.PersId
GROUP BY s.Name;


Controlling output with CASE statement

You can use CASE statement to customize the output, it's like BIT's stylist:

-- Fashion tip: CASE accessories are in this season!
SELECT Name, 
       MAX(CASE WHEN BoolValue = 1 THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) AS MaxBoolValue
FROM your_table
GROUP BY Name;


Sleek BIT casting with arithmetic

Beautify the output with implicit BIT casting tricks using simple arithmetic - Math never felt so useful!:

-- "Some call it magic, I call it... arithmetic!"
SELECT Name, MAX(1 * BoolValue) AS MaxBitImplicit
FROM your_table
GROUP BY Name;


Grouping on the dance floor

Remember to group by relevant fields in order to use aggregate functions in joined tables - it's like creating your own SQL dance group:

-- SQL audition: "Can I get your Name, Group and MAX moves?"
SELECT s.PersId, s.Name, MAX(CAST(b.BoolValue AS INT)) AS MaxBool
FROM SURNAME s
LEFT JOIN BOOL b ON s.PersId = b.IdPers
GROUP BY s.PersId, s.Name;


The temporary hotel for tables

For those gigantic queries, take a breather by organizing your logic with temporary tables - Like a hotel for your data:

-- "Need a break? Check into the temporary table resort!"
SELECT PersId, MAX(CAST(BoolValue AS INT)) INTO #MaxValues
FROM BOOL
GROUP BY PersId;

SELECT s.Name, mv.MaxBool
FROM SURNAME s
JOIN #MaxValues mv ON s.PersId = mv.PersId;


Sort, don't teleport

Finally, ensure everyone can follow along by sorting your output by some meaningful column:

-- "Always be yourself. Unless you can be sorted. Then always be sorted."
SELECT s.Name, MAX(1 * BoolValue) AS MaxBit
FROM your_table s
GROUP BY s.Name
ORDER BY s.Name; -- Alphabetical order


Counting bits – not sheep

If you are a data enthusiast, try counting set bits as your relief from insomnia:

-- "Hey SQL, how many 1s does it take to change a BIT column?"
SELECT COUNT(NULLIF(bit_column, 0)) AS CountOfOnes
FROM your_table;


Accuracy – your holy grail

Always verify your results carefully. Mistakes are like gremlins, and believe me, nobody wants a gremlin in their results!