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EXPLODE_NUMBERS_OUTER

Description

The explode_numbers_outer function accepts an integer and maps each number in the range to a separate row. It should be used together with LATERAL VIEW to flatten nested data structures into a standard flat table format. The main difference between explode_numbers_outer and explode_numbers is how they handle null values.

Syntax

EXPLODE_NUMBERS_OUTER(<int>)

Parameters

  • <int> Integer type

Return Value

  • Returns an integer column [0, n), with column type Nullable<INT>.
  • If <int> is NULL, 0, or negative, 1 row with NULL is returned.

Examples

  1. Regular parameters
    select  * from (select 1 as k1) t1 lateral view explode_numbers_outer(10) t2 as c;
    +------+------+
    | k1 | c |
    +------+------+
    | 1 | 0 |
    | 1 | 1 |
    | 1 | 2 |
    | 1 | 3 |
    | 1 | 4 |
    | 1 | 5 |
    | 1 | 6 |
    | 1 | 7 |
    | 1 | 8 |
    | 1 | 9 |
    +------+------+
  2. Parameter 0
    select  * from (select 1 as k1) t1 lateral view explode_numbers_outer(0) t2 as c;
    +------+------+
    | k1 | c |
    +------+------+
    | 1 | NULL |
    +------+------+
  3. NULL parameter
    select  * from (select 1 as k1) t1 lateral view explode_numbers_outer(NULL) t2 as c;
    +------+------+
    | k1 | c |
    +------+------+
    | 1 | NULL |
    +------+------+
  4. Negative parameter
    select  * from (select 1 as k1) t1 lateral view explode_numbers_outer(-1) t2 as c;
    +------+------+
    | k1 | c |
    +------+------+
    | 1 | NULL |
    +------+------+