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  • Definition of Comparison Functions

    Oracle comparison functions serve as foundational tools within SQL, enabling users to evaluate and compare data values effectively. These functions return boolean results—TRUE, FALSE, or NULL—based on the evaluation of two expressions. They are vital for filtering datasets, enforcing conditions in queries, and executing logical operations. By using comparison functions, SQL users can formulate complex…

  • PARTITION BY Clause

    The PARTITION BY clause is a critical component of analytic functions, allowing users to define how to group the rows for calculations. By dividing the result set into partitions, each analytic function operates independently within these subsets. For example: This query ranks employees within each department based on salary, providing insights into intra-department performance. The…

  • NTILE() Function

    The NTILE(n) function is used to distribute the rows in an ordered partition into a specified number of groups or buckets. This is useful for categorizing data into quantiles, such as quartiles or deciles. For instance, to categorize employees into quartiles based on their salaries, you could write: sqlCopy codeSELECT employee_id, salary, NTILE(4) OVER (ORDER…

  • LEAD() and LAG() Functions

    The LEAD() and LAG() functions allow users to access data from subsequent or preceding rows within the same result set. This capability is invaluable for comparative analysis and trend evaluation. For example, to compare each employee’s salary to the previous employee’s salary, you might use: In this case, LAG(salary) retrieves the salary of the employee…

  • AVG() as an Analytic Function

    The AVG() function can also be utilized as an analytic function to calculate moving averages over a defined set of rows. This is particularly useful in identifying trends or smoothing out fluctuations in time-series data. For example, to calculate a moving average of order amounts over the last three orders, you could use: This query…

  • SUM() as an Analytic Function

    The SUM() function, when used as an analytic function, can provide running totals or cumulative sums across rows. This capability is essential for financial reporting and time-series analysis. For instance, to calculate a running total of sales amounts, you can write: In this query, SUM(amount) calculates the cumulative sales amount as the date progresses. The…

  • ROW_NUMBER() Function

    The ROW_NUMBER() function assigns a unique sequential integer to each row within the result set, starting from 1. Unlike RANK() or DENSE_RANK(), which may assign the same rank to tied values, ROW_NUMBER() always generates a unique value. This makes it particularly useful for scenarios requiring unique identifiers for each row. For example: This query assigns…

  • DENSE_RANK() Function

    The DENSE_RANK() function operates similarly to RANK(), but it differs in how it handles ties. Specifically, DENSE_RANK() does not leave gaps in the ranking sequence. If two employees have the same salary, they will receive the same rank, and the next employee in line will receive the subsequent rank, effectively creating a contiguous sequence. For…

  • RANK() Function

    The RANK() function is a powerful analytic tool that assigns a rank to each row within a specified partition based on the values in a particular column. When multiple rows share the same value, they receive the same rank, but the subsequent rank numbers will skip as many as there are ties. This can be…

  • Common Analytic Functions

    Oracle provides several common analytic functions that cater to various analytical needs. These include: These functions are essential for performing detailed analysis, enabling users to derive insights from complex datasets. Each function has its own use case, making them applicable in various scenarios ranging from financial reporting to performance evaluations, thereby enhancing the overall analytical…