to find minimum missing number in oracle - sql

Question

i want to find the minimum missing number of a column named (s_no) and the table named (test_table) in oracle and I write the following code..
select
min_s_no-1+level missing_number
from (
select min(s_no) min_s_no, max(s_no) max_s_no
from test_table
) connect by level <= max_s_no-min_s_no+1
minus
select s_no from test_table
;
it gives me all the missing number as a result. But I want to select the minimum
number. Can any one help me please.
thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Using analytical function LEAD you can get the number from the next row in ascending order. Comparing of this value with with the original number increased by 1 you get the missing values (if two numbers do not match).
To get the first missing value in ascending order is the same selecting the MIN value:
select
num,
lead(num) over (order by num) num_lead,
case when num + 1 != lead(num) over (order by num) then num + 1 end as missing_num
from test_data
order by num;
NUM NUM_LEAD MISSING_NUM
---------- ---------- -----------
4 5
5 6
6 9 7
9 10
10 13 11
13
-- first missing number = MIN missing number
select min(missing_num)
from (
select
case when num + 1 != lead(num) over (order by num) then num + 1 end as missing_num
from test_data
);
MIN(MISSING_NUM)
----------------
7
ADDENDUM
A good practice in writing SQL is to consider edge cases - here a table that contains a complete interval without holes. The first missing value will be the successor of the last number.
select nvl(min(missing_num),max(num)+1) first_missing_value
from (
select
num,
case when num + 1 != lead(num) over (order by num) then num + 1 end as missing_num
from test_data
);
A complete table return no MISSING_NUM, so the original query return NULL. Using the NVL the expected result is provided.

Answer 2

The best way to find the gaps is to use analytic functiions lead or lag. An example with lag:
with test_data as (
select 1 num from dual union all
select 4 from dual union all
select 6 from dual union all
select 8 from dual union all
select 3 from dual union all
select 9 from dual union all
select 0 from dual
)
select min(gap) min_gap
from (
select num, lag(num) over (order by num)+1 gap
from test_data
)
where num != gap
;
MIN_GAP
------------------
2
More about how to find the gaps here

Answer 3

In Oracle 12.1 and above, MATCH_RECOGNIZE can do quick work of this kind of problems:
Edited. Initially I was picking the "next number" where a gap exists (in the example, the value 9). But that is not what the OP wants, he wants the first missing number (7 in this case). I edited to change the measures clause, to find the first missing number as requested. End Edit
with test_data (num) as (
select 4 from dual union all
select 5 from dual union all
select 6 from dual union all
select 9 from dual union all
select 10 from dual union all
select 13 from dual
)
-- end of test data; when you use the SQL query below,
-- replace test_data and num with your actual table and column names.
select result as num
from test_data
match_recognize (
order by num
measures last(b.num) + 1 as result
pattern ( ^ a b* c )
define b as num = prev(num) + 1,
c as num > prev(num) + 1
)
;
NUM
---
7