I want to select distinct values from the table

Question

My table has 2 million records. I want to select distinct values from the table. If I use select distinct... it may take more time. What would be another option to select distinct values in less time.

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 16 '12 at 09:27

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If you've done proper indexing, then SELECT DISTINCT should be the fastest way here.

answered Jul 16 '12 at 09:27

Gregor Menih

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 16 '12 at 09:27

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GROUP BY? or having another table with just distinct values modified by triggers on insert, delete, update to the original table?

answered Jul 16 '12 at 09:27

rezna

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 16 '12 at 09:28

If you want to select distinct, you have to select distinct.

Here are few things you can do to make it faster:

Index the columns you are selecting distinct upon.
Use a clustered index if possible.
Partition your data so make searching faster.

2 million rows is big but not at all unheard of for a database.

I want to select distinct values from the table

3 Answers3