How to re-order alphabetically a database column; Oracle 1

[buksh]

How can I re-order an existing column into alphabetical order.<br>
I have a client accessing a server based Oracle database and the retrieved data is always in the order that it was enetered in originally. This makes life difficult for the user who would prefer to see it in alphabetical order.

 

[gstenson]

Hi Buksh,<br>
<br>
Could you not change the client query, which I presume is something like select ... from table, and change it to:<br>
<br>
select ... from table order by column [asc] [desc];<br>
<br>
This physically orders the output based on the column you choose. The asc / desc are option and stand for ascending, descending.<br>
<br>
Or is you problem more difficult, let me know.<br>
<br>
Calahans

 

[MikeLacey]

If you're not able to change the client query you could always point the user towards a view (an updatable view if you like) that is created like this:<br>
<br>
Create View VIEW_THINGY [For Update] As <br>
Select *<br>
From THINGY<br>
Order By SOME_COLUMN;<br>
<br>
This will look just like a real table - but will be ordered by SOME_COLUMN<br>
<br>
Mike<br>
---<br>
Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com<br>

 

[buksh]

Thanx guys,<br>
My problem is slightly more complex because the data from the DB is usually only accessed via a third party front end pre-written in power builder, ( MainSaver ).<br>
This means that I cannot create new views as my clients only ever see the output generated by MainSavers fixed SQL strings pre-codede into the application, probably SELECT*.<br>
What I need to do is bypass the third party application, rearrange the existing underlying datatable column, and then resave it over writing the previous unalphabetically ordered column.<br>
I thing I need to:<br>
SELECT* from column name<br>
ORDER by ascending, ( for example)<br>
UPDATE, ( over write the original column )<br>
<br>
I think it involves creating a temporary view.<br>
<br>
So there we are. I know what to do but I don't know how.<br>
Best regards

 

[MikeLacey]

Ok.<br>
<br>
Try this. Rename the original table. Create your view (as above) using the name of the original table for the view. Make sure you stick an index on the SOME_COLUMN row you want things ordered by in the view.<br>
<br>
Drop me a line if you need to.<br>
<br>
Regards<br>
<br>
Mike<br>
---<br>
Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com<br>

 

[calahans]

Guys,<br>
<br>
Just one thought I have on the above is that you must make sure that you select * from, from your original table as I presume that the original table which you are retrieving from, also gets inserted to (ie not statis data). <br>
<br>
If this is the case, new data will be inserted into the main table via the view, which is not ideal but given your restricted criteria, is all you can do. It is therefore imperitive that the view and the table match exactly.<br>
<br>
C