This latest alternative will clearly only work when the latest id is known - I doubt this is reality.
There was a mention that the actual query is more complex - without seeing that complexity it's hard to offer further advice. RWB has provided the correct approach normally taken. If the date is indexed then Oracle can determine the max date very easily - the query looks worse than reality. Another approach (which is normally worse though) is to order the query by date then wrap a "select * from (inner_query} where rownum = 1" around it. It's clunky though and probably isn't what you are after. "Daniel W. Fink" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> .com> cc: Sent by: Subject: Re: SQL Query Help [EMAIL PROTECTED] 29/05/2003 12:54 Please respond to ORACLE-L SELECT ID,MAX(LastModDate) FROM Tab where id = 1 group by ID; -- Daniel W. Fink http://www.optimaldba.com Basavaraja, Ravindra wrote: >I had tried this as per Oracle Metalink Note.When I add the group by ID it will display both the records like >2 1/20/2003 2:56:18 AM >1 4/23/2003 10:26:42 PM > >but I want to see the only the record with the latest time stamp like >1 4/23/2003 10:26:42 PM > >-----Original Message----- >Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 6:25 PM >To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L > > >Add "group by ID;" as in: > > >SELECT ID,MAX(LastModDate) FROM Tab >group by ID; > > > >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Basavaraja, Ravindra [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 8:15 PM >>To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L >>Subject: SQL Query Help >> >> >>i have a query that returns 2 rows with one column being id >>and the other >>being date-time stamp. >> >>i want to select the row with the latest timestamp among those two >>records.they have difference id values >> >>SELECT ID,LastModDate >>FROM Tab >> >>ID LastModDate >>-- ----------- >>2 1/20/2003 2:56:18 AM >>1 4/23/2003 10:26:42 PM >> >>I want to modify the above query to return the row with id=1 >>which has the >>latest timestamp >> >>I tried this >> >>SELECT ID,MAX(LastModDate) >>FROM Tab >> >>getting this error >>OERR: ORA 937 not a single-group group function >> >>how do i get this work. >> >>Thanks >> >> >> -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: Daniel W. Fink INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<---->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Privileged/Confidential information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply e-mail or by telephone on (61 3) 9612-6999. Please advise immediately if you or your employer does not consent to Internet e-mail for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of Transurban City Link Ltd shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<---->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: Mark Richard INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).