DECODE syntax

Question

Hello,
I wanted to use the DECODE function for an insert into a database table. It should work like this:
If value1 is a, b, or c then value2 should be 1 and if value1 is d, then value2 should be 2.
I know I can code it like this:
SELECT DECODE (value1, 'a', 1, 'b', 1, 'c', 1, 'd', 2)
from tablename;
My question is if there is a clearer way of doing it so the search expression in the DECODE statement can have a list of values rather then just one value at a time?
Regards,
Niamh

Answer 1

There is a shorter way, whether it is clearer is a matter of opinion.
Since value1 = 'd' is the only exception, I would tend to code
SELECT DECODE(value1,'d', 2,1)
FROM tablename;
Which translates to:
IF value1 = 'd' THEN
   return 2
ELSE
   return 1
END IF;