Using Logical Operators and Parentheses

Logical operators combine subexpressions into a larger expression, to specify multiple conditions and complex criteria.

<subexpression1> <Logical_operator> <subexpression2>...

LOGICAL_OPERATOR

Logical operators can be used to build more complex expressions.

The logical operators are:

AND

OR

Considerations

• Two subexpressions joined by a logical operator form a logical expression.
• Logical expressions resolve to a Boolean value: 1/0 or TRUE/FALSE.
• Use parentheses--()--to group expressions logically and to join multiple expressions.
• Parentheses are used in pairs; each open parenthesis "(" requires a closing parenthesis ")".
• For example:

((<expression1> AND <expression2>) OR (<expression3> AND <expression_4>))

Precedence

Expressions are evaluated in this order:

1. expressions within (parentheses)
2. expressions with && (Logical AND)
3. expressions with || (Logical OR)

If the expression is not clearly annotated with parentheses, then && (Logical AND) takes precedence over || (Logical OR)

Tip: For any complex expression, always use parentheses. That way, you're sure to get what you expect, and the meaning is clear when you or anyone else reads it later.

Examples

• Find all accounts where the state is either California, Nevada, or Washington

(State = 'CA') OR (State = 'NV') OR (State = 'WA')

• Find all accounts where the state is not California, Nevada, or Washington:

(State != 'CA') AND (State != 'NV') AND (State != 'WA')

• Find all accounts in the construction industry where the state is California or Nevada

((State = 'CA') OR (State = 'NV')) AND (Industry = 'Construction')

• Finds account in the State of California or accounts in construction in the state of Nevada

State = 'CA' OR State = 'NV' AND Industry = 'Construction'

• Also finds account in the State of California or accounts in construction in the state of Nevada (the AND (AND) operator implies brackets)

State = 'CA' OR (State = 'NV' AND Industry = 'Construction')

• Find accounts in California or Texas where the account name contains "Equipment"

(Acct_Name contains 'Equipment') AND (state = 'CA' OR state ='TX')

• Find accounts in California where the account name contains "Equipment", or any record in Texas

(Acct_Name contains 'Equipment') AND (state = 'CA')) OR (state ='TX')