select vs desc

[Amirtharaj Chinnaraj]

hi guys

i want to know when execuite a query like "desc TableName"
it will return a column name and the column datatype in the order they where
in the table even though you execuite different times you will get same order

but if we execuite a query like "select * from TableName"
it will return resultset of different order at different times

in both the query we are not using any order by statement
i want to know what makes desc statement resultset consistenet

regards
amir

[Paul Campbell]

Originally posted by Amirtharaj Chinnaraj:
hi guys

i want to know when execuite a query like "desc TableName"
it will return a column name and the column datatype in the order they where
in the table even though you execuite different times you will get same order

but if we execuite a query like "select * from TableName"
it will return resultset of different order at different times

in both the query we are not using any order by statement
i want to know what makes desc statement resultset consistenet

regards
amir

You are confusing the describe a table (DESC TableName) statement with the descending key word used in an order by clause. You will get the same result if you execute DESCRIBE TableName as you do with Desc TableName. Its purpose is to give you information about your table's make-up... it isn't intended to provide a result set.
[ October 24, 2007: Message edited by: Paul Campbell ]

[Amirtharaj Chinnaraj]

well paul

let me expalin my doubt clearly ,iam using mysql database i use jdbc to
connect with database

when i execute a select query without order by statement i get different ordered resultset at different times

but when i execute a describe query i get the resultset with the same order for n number times what makes desc to be consistent

if i want to oder the resultset of a describe query how can i do it for mysql

regards
amir

[Paul Campbell]

You can't order the information returned from a describe table statement.
The statement/command is for providing information about the columns of the table. It shows the column names, the type / size and scale (if applicable) and other useful information.

DESCRIBE table_name

However, you can do describe output select * from table_name ordered by...
[ October 25, 2007: Message edited by: Paul Campbell ]