MINIMUM

Syntax

MINIMUM [ ( array ) ] or

MINIMUM ( *[ value ]* )

Location

Minmax (DIY Toolkit - Vol Z)

The effect of this function depends on the parameter supplied. It is however an extremely fast way of comparing values.

If no parameter is supplied, then the smallest possible floating point number supported by the QL is returned - this is equivalent to -1e614.

If a single parameter is supplied which is a single dimensional floating point array, then MINIMUM will return the value of the smallest number stored within that array. If you want to compare the values of an integer array, then use MINIMUM% (a ‘bad parameter’ is generated with this function if you attempt to use it for integers).

If, however, you use the second variant to pass a list of values (either numbers or variables), then the smallest value out of those parameters will be returned.

Please note that you cannot pass an array in this instance - it is therefore the same as MIN.

Example

DIM x(3): x(0)=10: x(1)=200: x(2)=2.5: x(3)=50.4
PRINT MINIMUM (x)

Returns 2.5

NOTE

This function cannot be compiled with Supercharge or Turbo if you intend to pass an array as the parameter.

CROSS-REFERENCE

MATMIN, MINIMUM% and MIN are similar. Refer also to MAXIMUM and MAXIMUM%.