Sql Inner Join with Distinct Rows?

Sql Inner Join with Distinct Rows?
SELECT collections.title, collections.uniqueID, uploads.uniqueID as thumb 
FROM collections 
INNER JOIN uploads ON collections.uniqueID = uploads.uploadGroup 
WHERE collections.owner = @owner

in this instance if I have 3 rows in "uploads" that have the matching uniqueid/uploadgroup (as in 3 uploads in a collection) this gives me back 3 rows.

what I'm looking for is ONE row for each DISTINCT COLLECTIONS.UNIQUEID - is this possible?

so when collections has

1 | title | idhere

and uploads has

1 | uniqueID1 | idhere
2 | uniqueID2 | idhere
3 | uniqueID3 | idhere

I'm currently returning

1 | title | uniqueID1
2 | title | uniqueID2
3 | title | uniqueID3

when all I want to return is

1 | title | uniqueID1
2

3 Answers

If you need a simple distinct list from the uploads table then you can do it like this:

SELECT collections.title, collections.uniqueID, uploads.uniqueID as thumb 
FROM collections 
INNER JOIN (SELECT DISTINCT uniqueID FROM uploads) uploads ON collections.uniqueID = uploads.uploadGroup 
WHERE collections.owner = @owner

Here's one approach (sql server only):

SELECT collections.title, collections.uniqueID, uploads.uniqueID as thumb 
FROM collections
CROSS APPLY (
    SELECT TOP 1 *
    FROM uploads
    WHERE collections.uniqueID = uploads.uploadGroup
    ORDER BY uploads.uniqueID -- not required, can be changed to any column you want
) uploads
SELECT collections.title, collections.uniqueID, min(uploads.uniqueID) as thumb 
FROM collections 
JOIN uploads ON collections.uniqueID = uploads.uploadGroup 
WHERE collections.owner = @owner
GROUP BY collections.title, collections.uniqueID
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Maya Lin-Takahashi
Author

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.