Can I use… over(… groups between …)


Apache DerbyBigQueryDb2 (LUW)H2MariaDBMySQLOracle DBPostgreSQLSQL ServerSQLite20132015201720192021✓ 3.28.0+⊘ 3.5.7 - 3.26.0⊘ 2008R2 - 2022✓ 11+⊘ 8.3 - 10✓ 21c+⊘ 11gR1 - 19c⊘ 5.0 - 8.0.33⊘ 5.1 - 10.11✓ 1.4.198+⊘ 1.4.191 - 1.4.197⊘ 9.7 - 11.5.8⊘ 2.0⊘ 10.15.1.3 - 10.16.1.1

The over clause accepts groups framing, which limits the scope of the window function to the rows between the specified number of distinct values in the order by keys.

SELECT *, COUNT(*) OVER(ORDER BY val
                       GROUPS BETWEEN 1 PRECEDING
                                  AND CURRENT ROW)
  FROM …

The frame defined by this groups clause covers all rows whose order by key falls between the next smaller value of the current row’s order by key (between 1 preceding) and the current rows order by key (and current row).

ORDER BY valGROUPSBETWEEN 1 PRECEDINGgroups betwAND CURRENT ROWval11.5667current row

Meaningful framing requires an order by clause in over as well. Note that this order by clause does not necessarily affect the order of rows in the final result. If you want the result in a specific order, add an order by clause at the outermost query level.

Normative References

The groups framing is defined in ISO/IEC 9075:2016-2 as part of optional feature T620, “WINDOW clause: GROUPS option”.

You can’t catch up on 20 years of SQL evolution in one day. Subscribe the newsletter via E-Mail, Twitter or RSS to gradually catch up and to keep modern-⁠sql.com on your radar.

About the Author

Photo of Markus Winand

Markus Winand provides insights into SQL and shows how different systems support it at modern-sql.com. Previously he made use-the-index-luke.com, which is still actively maintained. Markus can be hired as trainer, speaker and consultant via winand.at.

Buy the Book

Cover of “SQL Performance Explained”: Squirrel running on grass

The essence of SQL tuning in 200 pages

Buy now!
(paperback and/or PDF)

Paperback also available at Amazon.com.

Hire Markus

Markus offers SQL training and consulting for developers working at companies of all sizes.
Learn more »

Connect with Markus Winand

Markus Winand on LinkedInMarkus Winand on XINGMarkus Winand on Twitter
“modern SQL” by Markus Winand is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
Legal | Contact | NO WARRANTY | Trademarks | Privacy and GDPR | CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 license