<funcsynopsis>

<funcprototype>

<funcdef><function>max_order</function></funcdef>

<paramdef>smoc</paramdef>

</funcprototype>

</funcsynopsis>

<para>

Returns the maximal order of an smoc.

</para>

<para>

The maximal order of a MOC can be higher than than the highest

order appearing in the serialisation. For instance, in the example

below the full-sky coverage given at order 6 means that no patch

larger than about 1 degree is not covered. In the ASCII

serialisation, give the maximum order with an with an empty cell

list.

</para>

<example>

<title>Obtaining a MOC order</title>

<programlisting>

<![CDATA[SELECT max_order(smoc('0/0-11 6/')) as order;]]>

<![CDATA[ order]]>

<![CDATA[-----------]]>

<![CDATA[ 6 ]]>

</programlisting>

</example>