You can use the opposite of any condition by putting NOT before it. NOT takes precedence over AND and OR. For example, in this query, rows are selected that do not contain 38 in the DEPTNUMB column but do contain EASTERN in the DIVISION column. The other row in the Q.ORG table containing EASTERN in the DIVISION column contains 38 in the DEPTNUMB column, so it is not presented.
When you run this query:
Q.ORG | DEPTNUMB | DIVISION | LOCATION | ------+----------+------------+---------------| P. | _DEP | _DIV | | | CONDITIONS | |------------------------------| | NOT _DEP=38 AND _DIV=EASTERN | |
QMF produces this report:
DEPTNUMB DIVISION LOCATION
-------- ------------- ---------
15 EASTERN BOSTON
20 EASTERN WASHINGTON
To illustrate how parentheses can change the results of a query, the first query that follows contains no parentheses. The second adds some parentheses. The third moves them a little.
When you run this query:
Q.ORG | DEPTNUMB | DIVISION | LOCATION | ------+----------+------------+---------------| P. | _DEP | _DIV | _LOC | | CONDITIONS | |---------------------------------------------| | NOT _DEP=51 AND _DIV=MIDWEST OR _LOC=BOSTON | |
QMF produces this report:
DEPTNUMB DIVISION LOCATION
-------- ------------- ---------
15 EASTERN BOSTON
42 MIDWEST CHICAGO
When you place parentheses as follows, your report is exactly the same as in the previous example.
(NOT _DEP=51 AND _DIV=MIDWEST) OR _LOC=BOSTON
However, if you move the left parenthesis after NOT, as in the following query, you get different results.
When you run this query:
Q.ORG | DEPTNUMB | DIVISION | LOCATION | ------+----------+------------+---------------| P. | _DEP | _DIV | _LOC | | CONDITIONS | |-----------------------------------------------| | NOT (_DEP=51 AND _DIV=MIDWEST) OR _LOC=BOSTON | |
QMF produces this report:
DEPTNUMB DIVISION LOCATION
-------- ------------- ---------
10 CORPORATE NEW YORK
15 EASTERN BOSTON
20 EASTERN WASHINGTON
38 EASTERN ATLANTA
42 MIDWEST CHICAGO
66 WESTERN SAN FRANCISCO
84 WESTERN DENVER