[sql] Is there any difference between "!=" and "<>" in Oracle Sql?

I would like to know if there are any differences in between the two not equal operators <> and != in Oracle.

Are there cases where they can give different results or different performance?

This question is related to sql oracle

The answer is


Actually, there are four forms of this operator:

<>
!=
^=

and even

¬= -- worked on some obscure platforms in the dark ages

which are the same, but treated differently when a verbatim match is required (stored outlines or cached queries).


According to this article, != performs faster

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_not_equal_operator.htm


At university we were taught 'best practice' was to use != when working for employers, though all the operators above have the same functionality.