Re: beginner sql question

Ed Prochak <edprochak_at_adelphia.net> wrote:
>
> and just to toss in my 2cents (take this as a hint ksmith):
>
> I think DISTINCT is the most misused feature of SQL.
>
> It tends to hide logic errors. And often, even a quick query can use a
> COUNT(*) instead to gain a slight bit more information at no greater
> performance cost.

I would use count(*) more in ad hoc queries if it would automatically infer all non-aggregate selected columns to be in the 'group by' if a 'group by' wasn't explicitly given. The benefit of distinct is that I only have to tell it what columns I want once.

Xho

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