Decode with dates 1

[ibib3]

Hi

I am trying to convert a simple Access query

IIf([act_start]<[start_time],[start_time],[act_start]) AS insesstart

into an Oracle statement (fairly new to Oracle SQL)

basically it compares an actual start time (act_start) with a planned start (start_time) if the actual is less than the planned start it returns the planned start else the actual.
This is to measure the amount of time used within the core planned times. I will do the same with the finish times.

Can I use decode and if so how?

Many thanks

 

[Dagon]

decode(sign(start_time-act_time), -1, act_start, start_time)

Or use a CASE statement.