php mysql query - select 2 distinct columns treat as one

[Wickersty]

Good afternoon,

If I have a table in which are two colums job1 and job2. Both have the same possible values (ie job1 can be either cook, tv host, or sales and job2 can be ither cook, tv host, or sales).

I want to create a querie that says select DISTINCT jobs from job1 and job2... meaning, give me a list of all distinct jobs from both columns... keeping in mind that if "cook" is a distinct job from a job1 record, I dont want to pick up "cook" again from any job2 records.

Can someone help with this? I can't quite figure it out.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[DRJ478]

Just as a note:
I think your table should be structured differently - the probelm arises from the fact that unique information needs to be extracted from two different colums. There is a hardcoded 2-jobs limit in your table.
A more open setup with a foreign key for the job title would solve your problem. Similar information belongs in the same column.

 

[shadedecho]

I think I know a way to accomplish this, but I need to clarify:

if the table looks like this:

+-------+-------+
| val_1 | val_2 |
+-------+-------+
| abc   | def   |
| abc   | def   |
| abc   | abc   |
| def   | ghi   |
| xyz   | abc   |
+-------+-------+

What are you wanting your result set to look like?

Suggestions:

+-------+
| abc   |
| def   |
| ghi   |
| xyz   |
+-------+

+-------+-------+
| abc   | def   |
| def   | ghi   |
| xyz   | abc   |
+-------+-------+

Can you clarify what exactly you want the results of your query to look like, if the table has duplicate values like above, so I can make a better effort at this?