PL/SQL “between x and y” does not work, if y < x. Why?

Question

I have a PL/SQL code like:

case when column between 201203 and 201201
then other_column
end

I know that there are values in column that are

Answer 1

Consider

val1 between val2 and val3

as

(val1 >= val2) and (val1 <= val3)

Then what we have?

column between 201203 and 201201

is the equivalent to

( column >= 201203 ) and (column <= 201201)

If the column value is, let's say, 201202 then the first condition ( column >= 201203 ) will be false and the second one also will be false. That is why you are not getting any results. Find out more.