Decode函数的语法结构如下:
decode (expression, search_1, result_1)
decode (expression, search_1, result_1, search_2, result_2)
decode (expression, search_1, result_1, search_2, result_2, ...., search_n, result_n)

decode (expression, search_1, result_1, default)
decode (expression, search_1, result_1, search_2, result_2, default)
decode (expression, search_1, result_1, search_2, result_2, ...., search_n, result_n, default)
 

decode函数比较表达式和搜索字，如果匹配，返回结果；如果不匹配，返回default值；如果未定义default值，则返回空值。
以下是一个简单测试，用于说明Decode函数的用法:
SQL> create table t as select username,default_tablespace,lock_date from dba_users;

Table created.

SQL> select * from t;

USERNAME                       DEFAULT_TABLESPACE             LOCK_DATE
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------
SYS                            SYSTEM
SYSTEM                         SYSTEM
OUTLN                          SYSTEM
CSMIG                          SYSTEM
SCOTT                          SYSTEM
EYGLE                          USERS
DBSNMP                         SYSTEM
WMSYS                          SYSTEM                         20-OCT-04

8 rows selected.

SQL> select username,decode(lock_date,null,'unlocked','locked') status from t;

USERNAME                       STATUS
------------------------------ --------
SYS                            unlocked
SYSTEM                         unlocked
OUTLN                          unlocked
CSMIG                          unlocked
SCOTT                          unlocked
EYGLE                          unlocked
DBSNMP                         unlocked
WMSYS                          locked

8 rows selected.

SQL> select username,decode(lock_date,null,'unlocked') status from t;

USERNAME                       STATUS
------------------------------ --------
SYS                            unlocked
SYSTEM                         unlocked
OUTLN                          unlocked
CSMIG                          unlocked
SCOTT                          unlocked
EYGLE                          unlocked
DBSNMP                         unlocked
WMSYS

8 rows selected.