Question:  One of our viewers wanted to know how to use the decode function to compare two dates (ie: date1 and date2), where if date1 > date2, the decode function should return date2. Otherwise, the decode function should return date1.

Answer:  To accomplish this, use the decode function as follows:

decode((date1 - date2) - abs(date1 - date2), 0, date2, date1)

The formula below would equal 0, if date1 is greater than date2:

(date1 - date2) - abs(date1 - date2)