Group By in SQL vs. Order By in SQL: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed & Dua Fatima || Published on March 3, 2024

GROUP BY in SQL aggregates rows that have the same values in specified columns into summary rows, while ORDER BY sorts the result set of a query by specified column(s).

Group By in SQL vs. Order By in SQL

Key Differences

GROUP BY is used in SQL queries to arrange identical data into groups, often used with aggregate functions like COUNT, SUM, AVG, MAX, or MIN, to perform calculations on each group. On the other hand, ORDER BY is utilized to sort the results returned by a query in ascending (ASC) or descending (DESC) order, based on one or more columns.

Mar 03, 2024

When using GROUP BY, the SQL engine aggregates the rows that have the same values in the specified columns into summary rows. It's particularly useful for generating reports that require aggregation of data, such as totals or averages. In contrast, ORDER BY doesn't aggregate rows but simply arranges them based on the specified column's values, which can be numeric, string, or date data types.

Mar 03, 2024

GROUP BY can significantly change the output of a query by consolidating rows into summarized data, affecting the number of rows in the result set. Conversely, ORDER BY affects only the order of rows in the result set, keeping the number of rows unchanged.

Mar 03, 2024

GROUP BY is often used in conjunction with aggregate functions to summarize data, ORDER BY is mainly concerned with the presentation of data, ensuring that the results are displayed in a readable and organized manner according to the specified sorting order.

Mar 03, 2024

It's important to note that GROUP BY and ORDER BY can be used together in a single SQL query. GROUP BY would first aggregate the data into groups, and then ORDER BY would sort the aggregated results or the entire result set, depending on the query's structure.

Mar 03, 2024

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Comparison Chart

Purpose

Aggregates rows with identical values in specified columns

Sorts the result set by specified column(s)

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Functionality

Groups data into summary rows

Orders rows in ascending or descending order

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Use with

Aggregate functions like COUNT, SUM, AVG

Any SELECT statement

Mar 03, 2024

Result Set

Changes the number of rows by consolidating them into groups

Maintains the number of rows, altering only the order

Mar 03, 2024

Data Presentation

Used for data summarization and analysis

Used for organizing and presenting data in a readable format

Mar 03, 2024

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Group By in SQL and Order By in SQL Definitions

Group By in SQL

Used with aggregate functions to calculate summaries.

SELECT department, AVG(salary) FROM employees GROUP BY department.

Feb 26, 2024

Order By in SQL

Enhances data readability by sorting.

SELECT product, price FROM inventory ORDER BY price DESC.

Feb 26, 2024

Group By in SQL

Groups data based on one or more columns.

SELECT country, city, COUNT(*) FROM offices GROUP BY country, city.

Feb 26, 2024

Order By in SQL

Can sort data in ascending (default) or descending order.

SELECT name, salary FROM employees ORDER BY salary ASC.

Feb 26, 2024

Group By in SQL

Essential for data analysis and reporting.

SELECT date, SUM(revenue) FROM sales GROUP BY date.

Feb 26, 2024

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Order By in SQL

Affects the presentation of data without altering the content.

SELECT title FROM books ORDER BY title.

Feb 26, 2024

Group By in SQL

Changes the result set by grouping data.

SELECT category, SUM(sales) FROM products GROUP BY category.

Feb 26, 2024

Order By in SQL

ORDER BY sorts SQL query results by specified column(s).

SELECT name, age FROM users ORDER BY age DESC.

Feb 26, 2024

Group By in SQL

GROUP BY consolidates rows with identical values in specified columns into summary rows.

SELECT department, COUNT(*) FROM employees GROUP BY department.

Feb 26, 2024

Order By in SQL

Used in conjunction with GROUP BY for sorted summaries.

SELECT department, COUNT(*) FROM employees GROUP BY department ORDER BY COUNT(*) DESC.

Feb 26, 2024

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can ORDER BY change the number of rows in a result set?

No, ORDER BY only changes the order of rows, not the quantity.

Mar 03, 2024

What is the main purpose of GROUP BY in SQL?

To aggregate rows that have the same values in specified columns into summary rows.

Mar 03, 2024

How does GROUP BY affect the result set of a query?

It consolidates rows with identical values in the specified columns, potentially reducing the number of rows by grouping them.

Mar 03, 2024

Does ORDER BY affect the underlying data in a database?

No, ORDER BY only affects the order of rows in the query result, not the actual data stored in the database.

Mar 03, 2024

Can ORDER BY sort data in both ascending and descending order?

Yes, ORDER BY can sort data in either ascending (ASC) or descending (DESC) order.

Mar 03, 2024

What happens if GROUP BY is used without specifying any column?

Using GROUP BY without any column is generally invalid and would result in an error in most SQL databases.

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What types of columns can ORDER BY sort?

ORDER BY can sort columns of numeric, string, or date data types.

Mar 03, 2024

Is it possible to use GROUP BY without an aggregate function?

Typically, GROUP BY is used with an aggregate function to summarize data.

Mar 03, 2024

How does GROUP BY contribute to data analysis?

It enables the summarization of data, which is essential for performing analysis and generating reports.

Mar 03, 2024

Can ORDER BY sort data based on expressions or functions?

Yes, ORDER BY can sort based on expressions or functions applied to columns.

Mar 03, 2024

Can GROUP BY group data based on multiple columns?

Yes, GROUP BY can group data based on one or more columns.

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What is the default sort order for ORDER BY?

The default sort order is ascending (ASC).

Mar 03, 2024

Is GROUP BY necessary for all aggregate function queries?

While not always mandatory, GROUP BY is essential when you want to apply aggregate functions to specific groups in your data.

Mar 03, 2024

Can GROUP BY and ORDER BY be used in the same query?

Yes, they can be used together to first aggregate data and then sort the aggregated or entire result set.

Mar 03, 2024

How does ORDER BY enhance data readability?

By organizing query results in a specified order, making it easier to understand and analyze the data.

Mar 03, 2024

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About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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