Shi Jim - Workstream wrote:
> Hi, DBAs:
>
>
>
> Does anybody know how to force "select distinct ...." and "group by "
> to sort the result set when not use "order by" in Oracle 10g, the
> results set is sorted in Oracle8i , but not get same sorted result set
> in Oracle 10g using same SQL, We met this trouble when we migrate
> database from 8i to 10g for a Production database. I tried NLS_LANG and
> NLS_SORT environmental parameter, it doesn't work, any initial parameter
> or environmental parameters we can use to force to sort for SELECT
> distinct or group by?

Personally I can only offer this single piece of advice:

Never, ever, EVER, rely upon Oracle returning your data in the order you
want 'because it has in the past' or 'that's how it usually does it'.
Data is not guaranteed to be returned in a specific order.

If your data is required in a specific order then use an ORDER BY.

--
Martin

'Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the
shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes,
and forgot' - Dream Country, Neil Gaiman

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