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Learn Specifying Sort Direction | Sorting Retrieved Data
Introduction to SQL

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Specifying Sort Direction

Sorting Columns in Descending Order

We can do more than just sort data in ascending order by default. The ORDER BY clause can also arrange data in descending order, which requires using the DESC keyword.

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SELECT continent FROM country ORDER BY continent DESC;
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Sorting Multiple Columns in Descending Order

We can sort data by multiple columns, and in many cases, this is actually necessary. For example, when displaying a list of students, you might want to order them first by their last name and then by their first name. This approach is especially helpful when multiple students share the same name.

Also, if you're sorting in descending order by more than one column, remember that each column must include its own DESC keyword.

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SELECT id, name, region FROM country ORDER BY region, name DESC;
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You only need to apply the DESC keyword to the column you want sorted in descending order. In our example, we used DESC for the name column but not for the region column. As a result, the name column is sorted in descending order, while the region column remains sorted in ascending order (the default).

Task

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Write an SQL query to retrieve five columns using the SELECT statement, namely: name, continent, region, population, and capital (please retrieve these columns in this order). Sort the result by two of them: first by continent in descending order, then by population in ascending order.

Solution

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SectionΒ 2. ChapterΒ 5
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book
Specifying Sort Direction

Sorting Columns in Descending Order

We can do more than just sort data in ascending order by default. The ORDER BY clause can also arrange data in descending order, which requires using the DESC keyword.

123
SELECT continent FROM country ORDER BY continent DESC;
copy

Sorting Multiple Columns in Descending Order

We can sort data by multiple columns, and in many cases, this is actually necessary. For example, when displaying a list of students, you might want to order them first by their last name and then by their first name. This approach is especially helpful when multiple students share the same name.

Also, if you're sorting in descending order by more than one column, remember that each column must include its own DESC keyword.

123
SELECT id, name, region FROM country ORDER BY region, name DESC;
copy

You only need to apply the DESC keyword to the column you want sorted in descending order. In our example, we used DESC for the name column but not for the region column. As a result, the name column is sorted in descending order, while the region column remains sorted in ascending order (the default).

Task

Swipe to start coding

Write an SQL query to retrieve five columns using the SELECT statement, namely: name, continent, region, population, and capital (please retrieve these columns in this order). Sort the result by two of them: first by continent in descending order, then by population in ascending order.

Solution

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

SectionΒ 2. ChapterΒ 5
Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
We're sorry to hear that something went wrong. What happened?
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