mysql function sub-quires return issue-CodePudding

create FUNCTION get_nth (x int)
RETURNS int DETERMINISTIC
return select min(m.salary) from (select * from salaries order by salary desc limit x)as m;

I'm trying to fetch an nth salary from the table, that's why I have written a function, but it shows an error and I can't figure out why?

#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'select min(m.salary) from (select * from salaries order by salary desc limit x)a' at line 3

this subqury working as indivual query

CodePudding user response：

when using a subquery as a value in an expression, you need to enclose it in parentheses:

return (select min(m.salary) from (select * from salaries order by salary desc limit x)as m);