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RankFunctions

The document explains the SQL ranking functions ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), and DENSE_RANK(), detailing their usage, syntax, and differences in handling ties and rank skipping. It provides scenarios demonstrating how to use these functions for tasks such as fetching top records, detecting duplicates, ranking products, and identifying the latest entries per group. Each function is illustrated with example queries and outputs to clarify their application in SQL queries.

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Monojit Saha
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5 views

RankFunctions

The document explains the SQL ranking functions ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), and DENSE_RANK(), detailing their usage, syntax, and differences in handling ties and rank skipping. It provides scenarios demonstrating how to use these functions for tasks such as fetching top records, detecting duplicates, ranking products, and identifying the latest entries per group. Each function is illustrated with example queries and outputs to clarify their application in SQL queries.

Uploaded by

Monojit Saha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), and DENSE_RANK() in SQL

SQL provides powerful ranking functions to assign a rank or unique number to each row within a partition
of a result set.
The three commonly used functions are:
 ROW_NUMBER()
 RANK()
 DENSE_RANK()
These functions are used with the OVER() clause, which defines how to order and partition the data.

1. ROW_NUMBER()
 Assigns a unique sequential number to each row within a partition.
 Starts at 1 for each partition.
 No ties: Even if rows have the same value, they get different row numbers.

Syntax:
ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY column_name ORDER BY column_name)

2. RANK()
 Assigns the same rank to tied rows.
 Skips ranks for the next values (non-continuous).
Syntax:

RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY column_name ORDER BY column_name)

3. DENSE_RANK()
 Similar to RANK(), but does not skip ranks after ties.
Syntax:

DENSE_RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY column_name ORDER BY column_name)

Comparison Table
Handles Skips
Function Use Case
Ties Ranks

ROW_NUMBER() No No Unique row numbering

RANK() Yes Yes Ranking with gaps

DENSE_RANK() Yes No Ranking without gaps

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Scenario 1: Fetch Top N Records per Group
Get the top 2 highest-paid employees from each department.
Input Table: Employee

EmpID Dept Salary


1 HR 60000
2 HR 55000
3 IT 80000
4 IT 75000
5 IT 80000

Query:

WITH RankedEmployees AS (
SELECT *,
ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY Dept ORDER BY Salary DESC) AS RowNum
FROM Employee
)
SELECT * FROM RankedEmployees
WHERE RowNum <= 2;
Output:
EmpID Dept Salary RowNum
1 HR 60000 1
2 HR 55000 2
3 IT 80000 1
5 IT 80000 2

Scenario 2: Detect Duplicate Records


Input Table: Employee

EmpID Dept Salary


1 HR 60000
1 HR 60000
2 IT 75000
2 IT 75000
3 IT 80000
Query:

WITH Duplicates AS (
SELECT *,
ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY EmpID, Dept, Salary ORDER BY EmpID) AS RowNum
FROM Employee
)
SELECT * FROM Duplicates
WHERE RowNum > 1;

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Output:

EmpID Dept Salary RowNum


1 HR 60000 2
2 IT 75000 2

Scenario 3: Ranking Products Based on Sales


Input Table: Sales

ProductID Region SalesAmount

101 North 2000


102 North 2000
103 North 1800
104 South 2500
105 South 2400
Query:

SELECT ProductID, Region, SalesAmount,


RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY Region ORDER BY SalesAmount DESC) AS SalesRank
FROM Sales;
Output:

ProductID Region SalesAmount SalesRank

101 North 2000 1


102 North 2000 1
103 North 1800 3
104 South 2500 1
105 South 2400 2

Scenario 4: Rank Students Based on Marks


Input Table: Students

StudentID Marks
1 95
2 98
3 95
4 92
Query:

SELECT StudentID, Marks,


DENSE_RANK() OVER (ORDER BY Marks DESC) AS Rank
FROM Students;

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Output:
StudentID Marks Rank
2 98 1
1 95 2
3 95 2
4 92 3

Scenario 5: Identify Latest Entry Per Group


Use ROW_NUMBER to fetch the latest transaction per customer.
Input Table: Transactions

TransID CustomerID Amount TransDate

1 C1 100 1/1/2024
2 C1 150 1/5/2024
3 C2 200 1/3/2024
4 C2 180 1/1/2024

Query:

WITH Ranked AS (
SELECT *, ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY CustomerID ORDER BY TransDate DESC) AS rn
FROM Transactions
)
SELECT * FROM Ranked WHERE rn = 1;
Output:

TransID CustomerID Amount TransDate rn

2 C1 150 1/5/2024 1
3 C2 200 1/3/2024 1

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