Difference between <> and != operators in MSSQL Server [duplicate]

Question

I was working in MSSQL server 2012. I wrote a query

select * from Mytable where col1 is not null and  col1 != ''

and

select * from Mytable where col1 is not null and  col1 <> ''

Both returns same value. I am just curious to know, what is the actual difference between <> and != operators?

Thanks. I searched the question in stackoverflow and I could not get it. So I posted this question. But this question is duplicated:-) — Shiva
– Shiva, Commented Feb 26, 2014 at 5:51
They're both not equal, which is to say they're equivalent to each other... Here are handy alternatives too: WHERE NULLIF(col1,'') IS NOT NULL or WHERE ISNULL(col1,'') <> '' — Hart CO
– Hart CO, Commented Feb 26, 2014 at 5:51

zchrykng · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-26 05:37:25Z

4

My understanding is that there is no difference. The <> operator is the ANSI SQL standard inequality operator, while Microsoft included != to make it like some programming languages.

answered Feb 26, 2014 at 5:37

zchrykng

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Comments

Alexander · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-26 05:36:28Z

3

!= is not ANSI compliant.
That's all.
Use <>

UPD. Oh, here

answered Feb 26, 2014 at 5:36

Alexander

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Comments

Ajay Kumar · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-26 05:51:57Z

1

Technically there is no difference between != and <>. Both of them work the same way and there is absolutely no difference in terms of performance or result.

answered Feb 26, 2014 at 5:51

Ajay Kumar

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