Re: order by

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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-- 
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Author: <bulbultyagi_at_now-india.net.in
  INET: bulbultyagi_at_now-india.net.in

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