Select distinct problem

[pkirkley]

I am doing the following select statement against a view-

SELECT distinct(req_number), formatted_req_number, post_title, division3, division2, salary_grade, source_posting_date_end FROM posting where source_posting_date_begin <= '5-Feb-2003' order by division2, division3, post_title

In the DB there are 2 records with the same req_number. This distinct will work until I change the source_posting_date_end to a new value. Before the 2 records have the same information.

My Question:
Does the distinct only have operation on the req_number or the whole select statement? It appears to impact all cols being selected based on the results.

FYI - posting is a view that is joining multiple tables thus why there could be 2 or more records that are identical.

 

[carp]

Yes - distinct works across all columns being selected.

 

[comgrit]

Sometime I found that using GROUP BY clause provide me more flexibility over DISTINCT