[CLOSED] MAX returning two rows

Question

Hi all,
I need to write a query that return 1 row.
If 'part 1' returns a value, the query needs to return null. If 'part 1' returns multiple values for latest_date, I need to return the latest of the dates.
Currently, this is the query I have. However this query returns more than 1 row.
Anny pointers are appreciated. Thanks
select Max(transaction_table.latest_date)
,transaction_table.status
from
---part 1
(select
sysdate latest_date
,'hello' status
from dual
UNION
--part 2
select
NULL latest_date
,NULL status
from dual) transaction_table
group by transaction_table.status;
RESULT:
MAX(TRANSACTION_TABLE.LATEST_DATE) STATUS
17-MAR-08 hello
2 rows selected
Message was edited by:
user594688
THANK YOU for all the replies

Answer 1

Hi,
max funtion never returns two rows :-)
If 'part 1' returns a value, the query needs to
return null. If 'part 1' returns multiple values for
latest_date, I need to return the latest of the
dates.It can't dual always return 1 row.
So, why do you need part 2?
>
Currently, this is the query I have. However this
query returns more than 1 row.
This will make your query return one row, but that's probably not what you want:
SQL> with md AS
  2    (select max(latest_date) max_date
  3     from
  4     ---part 1
  5       (select sysdate latest_date
  6              ,'hello' status
  7        from dual
  8       UNION
  9     --part 2
10        select NULL latest_date
11              ,NULL status
12        from dual))
13  select transaction_table.*
14  from   md
15        ,(select sysdate latest_date
16                ,'hello' status
17            from dual
18         UNION
19         select NULL latest_date
20               ,NULL status
21         from dual) transaction_table
22  where md.max_date = transaction_table.latest_date;
LATEST_DA STATU
17-MAR-08 hello
1 row selected.Regards
Peter