✏️ Explanatory Question
Level: Basic to Intermediate — Both filter multiple values, but they work in very different ways.
Both operators simplify WHERE conditions that would otherwise need multiple OR clauses, but they target different scenarios:
OR conditions.BETWEEN is inclusive — BETWEEN 10 AND 20 includes both 10 and 20. Use IN for a fixed set of specific values and BETWEEN for a range.
| Feature | IN | BETWEEN |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | A list of discrete values | A continuous range |
| Boundaries | N/A | Inclusive (both ends) |
| Equivalent to | Multiple OR conditions | >= AND <= |
| Works with subquery? | Yes (IN + subquery) | No |
| Best for | Specific IDs, categories | Dates, numeric ranges |
-- IN: match a fixed list of values
SELECT * FROM employees
WHERE dept_id IN (10, 20, 30);
-- Equivalent using OR (longer)
SELECT * FROM employees
WHERE dept_id = 10 OR dept_id = 20 OR dept_id = 30;
-- BETWEEN: match a continuous range (inclusive)
SELECT * FROM employees
WHERE salary BETWEEN 30000 AND 60000;
-- Equivalent using comparison operators
SELECT * FROM employees
WHERE salary >= 30000 AND salary <= 60000;
-- BETWEEN with dates
SELECT * FROM orders
WHERE order_date BETWEEN '2026-01-01' AND '2026-03-31';
-- IN with a subquery (BETWEEN cannot do this)
SELECT * FROM employees
WHERE dept_id IN (SELECT dept_id FROM departments WHERE location = 'Kolkata');