Re: difference between UNION operator and OR in where clause

From: David Portas <REMOVE_BEFORE_REPLYING_dportas_at_acm.org>
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:59:09 -0700
Message-ID: <1184075949.760634.199510_at_p39g2000hse.googlegroups.com>


On 10 Jul, 14:39, Mike <gongweig..._at_gmail.com> wrote:
> tables:
> 1. publication(pubid, title)
> 2. book(pubid, date)
> 3. journal(pubid, date)
>
> purpose: find all publication titles for books or journals.
>
> solution 1: use set "union"
>
> select title
> from publication, ( (select pubid from book) UNION (select pubid from
> journal)) bj
> where publication.pubid = bj.pubid
>
> solution 2: use "or" operator in the where clause
>
> select title
> from publication, book, journal
> where publication.pubid = book.pubid or publication.pubid =
> journal.pubid
>
> This example is taken from some lecture notes about sql. The notes
> said the solution 2 was wrong.
>
> Anyone knows why ?
>

Let me pose two more questions for you. What are the keys for each table? What is the difference between ALL and DISTINCT?

If you can answer those questions then you may be on the way to the answer you are looking for.

--
David Portas
Received on Tue Jul 10 2007 - 15:59:09 CEST

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