Re: order by

I was curious to find out why all the other sorts work the same but order by dbms_random.value ( which also returns a number like sqrt (3.14) ) behaves totally different. Any ideas ?
Also could you please tell me what does it mean when someone says order by <non integer some_constant> . An integer constant would refer to the positional parameter but what about a real value which is not an integer ?

• Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L" <ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2004 21:34

> It is for the same reason that 'select empno from emp' without
> and order by, also returns the same results.
>
> Take a look at $ORACLE_HOME/sqlplus/demo/demobld.sql
>
> Didn't you ask this same question earlier this week?
>
> Jared
>
> On Thu, 2004-01-01 at 01:14, bulbultyagi_at_now-india.net.in wrote:
> > List can you please explain to me why
> >
> > select empno from emp
> > order by empno ;
> >
> > is the same as
> >
> > select empno from emp
> > order by sqrt(3.14);
> >
> > but not the same as
> >
> > select empno from emp
> > order by dbms_random.value;
> >
> > What does sort by a random value do ? and why isn't dbms_random.value
in
> > the documentation for 9i Release 2 ?
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > To: "Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L" <ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com>
> > Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 03:34
> >
> >
> > > bulbultyagi_at_now-india.net.in wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hello list,
> > > > Can someone please explain to me why the following order by clauses
are
> > > > valid and yield the same results :
> > > >
> > > > select empno, deptno from emp
> > > > order by sqrt (1) ;
> > > >
> > > > and
> > > >
> > > > select empno, deptno from emp
> > > > order by sqrt ( 3.14234 ) ;
> > > >
> > > > The docs say that in the order by clause you could specify only (a)
> > column
> > > > names or (b) positional parameters or (c) expressions involving the
> > columns
> > > >
> > >
> > > A constant falls under the c) category. It's an expression, which
> > > involves anything you want. That said, I fail to see any practical use
> > > .
> > >
> > > --
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Stephane Faroult
> > > Oriole Software
> > > --
> > > Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
> > > --
> > > Author: Stephane Faroult
> > > INET: sfaroult_at_oriole.com
> > >
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> --
> Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
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> Author: Jared Still
> INET: jkstill_at_cybcon.com
>
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Author: <bulbultyagi_at_now-india.net.in
  INET: bulbultyagi_at_now-india.net.in

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