10 tips for sorting, grouping, and summarizing SQL data

Arranging data in a manner that's meaningful can be a challenge. Sometimes all you need is a simple sort. Often, you need more—you need groups you can analyze and summarize. Fortunately, SQL offers a number of clauses and operators for handling these tasks.

TechRepublic contributor Susan Harkins has put together some tips and examples that will help you discern when to sort, when to group, and when and how to summarize, including how to limit data before and after it's grouped, how to summarize grouped values with aggregates, and how to return all groups.

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