Abap Predefined function nmax and nmin

As part of the ABAP predefined functions series, today I wanted to talk about numerical Extremum functions: NMIN, and NMAX.

These functions return the minimum/maximum values out of the input argument.

Syntax:
result = nmax|nmin( val1 = arg1 val2 = arg2....val5 = arg5 ..val9 = arg9 ).

Features:

- All the input arguments are of type numeric data object/ numeric expressions.

- A minimum of two arguments must be passed up to 9.

Example:

	lv_max = nmax( val1 = 2
	val2 = 6 ). "lv_max = 5
	lv_min = nmin( val1 = '2'
	val2 = '5' )." lv_min = 2

view raw nmax_nmin_ex.abap hosted with ❤ by GitHub

It's elementary to start undermining the function as an extreme of two can be easily calculated with a simple if-else:

	data val1 type i value 2.
	data val2 type i value 4.
	if val1 <= val2.
	lv_max = va1.
	else.
	lv_min = val2.
	endif.

view raw max_of_2_using_if.abap hosted with ❤ by GitHub

but what if 3, or 4 or more fields were involved:

	data val1 type i value 1.
	data val2 type i value 2.
	data val3 type i value 3.
	data val4 type i value 4.
	max = val1.
	if val2 > max.
	max = val2.
	endif.
	if val3 > max.
	max = val3.
	endif.
	if val4 > max.
	max = val4.
	endif.

view raw max_of_4_using_if.abap hosted with ❤ by GitHub

You can notice how the ifs are increasing but it's a simple method call to NMAX or NMIN to achieve the same. Below is a small ready-to-execute report to calculate the least or highest value of input values of up to 9 variables,

	REPORT sy-repid.
	PARAMETERS:
	p_val1 TYPE i OBLIGATORY,
	p_val2 TYPE i OBLIGATORY,
	p_val3 TYPE i,
	p_val4 TYPE i,
	p_val5 TYPE i,
	p_val6 TYPE i,
	p_val7 TYPE i,
	p_val8 TYPE i,
	p_val9 TYPE i.
	PARAMETERS:
	p_min TYPE abap_bool RADIOBUTTON GROUP r1 DEFAULT 'X',
	p_max TYPE abap_bool RADIOBUTTON GROUP r1.
	START-OF-SELECTION.
	IF p_min = abap_true.
	cl_demo_output=>display( data = | Least value: { nmin( val1 = p_val1
	val2 = p_val2
	val3 = p_val3
	val4 = p_val4
	val5 = p_val5
	val6 = p_val6
	val7 = p_val7
	val8 = p_val8
	val9 = p_val9 ) } |
	).
	ELSE.
	cl_demo_output=>display( data = | Highest value: { nmax( val1 = p_val1
	val2 = p_val2
	val3 = p_val3
	val4 = p_val4
	val5 = p_val5
	val6 = p_val6
	val7 = p_val7
	val8 = p_val8
	val9 = p_val9 ) } |
	).
	ENDIF.

view raw abap_nmin_nmax.abap hosted with ❤ by GitHub

As always, I hope this information helps you with your day-to-day work.