Are there any functions in MySQL like dense_rank() and row_number() like Oracle?

Question

Are there any functions in MySQL like dense_rank() and row_number() like those provided by Oracle and other DBMS?

I want to generate an id within the query, but in MySQL these functions are not there. Is there an alternative?

Solution 1

Mysql doesn't have them, but you can simulate row_number() with the following expression that uses a user defined variable:

(@row := ifnull(@row, 0) + 1)

like this:

select *, (@row := ifnull(@row, 0) + 1) row_number
from mytable
order by id

but if you're reusing the session, @row will still be set, so you'll need to reset it like this instead:

set @row := 0;
select *, (@row := @row + 1) row_number
from mytable
order by 1;

See SQLFiddle.

dense_rank() is possible but a train wreck; I advise handling that requirement in the app layer.

Solution 2

We have now..

select ename, sal, dense_rank() over (order by sal desc)rnk
from emp2 e
order by rnk;

Solution 3

MySQL doesn't support these functions, but you can mimic them yourself. Shamelessly link to my solution to ROW_NUMBER, RANK and DENSE_RANK functions in MySQL

Solution 4

In MySql you dont have dense_rank() or row_number() like the one in Oracle.

But you can create the same functionality through SQL query:

Here is an article doing the same:

dense_rank()

row_number()

View more solutions

Comments

[CSiva]

But the numbers are keep on increasing how many times i execute the query.

[Bohemian]

@CSiva see edit for how to overcome the "ever-increasing row number" problem.