Vivek, Oracle has always said that you cannot predict the order that records are retrieved in.
If you create a new table and insert records, you can be pretty sure that when you query them, they will come out in the same order. *BUT* - once you delete a record and insert more new records, the order becomes random. this is because Oracle will reuse the space vacated by the deleted records. I don't know of any way to predict how it will use that space. That's why you should always include an "order by" clause. Hope this helps. Tom Mercadante Oracle Certified Professional -----Original Message----- Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 9:33 AM To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L When NOT Giving any Order by Clause , How is the Output of the SELECT Clause ordered by Default ? Assuming There exists a Unique index on the Table Is some Rule followed ? NOTE Records may have been INSERTED into the Table in some manner differing from the Order of the data of the Unique index Key fields. Thanks -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: VIVEK_SHARMA 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). -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: Mercadante, Thomas F 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).
