Oracle RANK() and DENSE_RANK(): A Detailed Comparison
Oracle's RANK()
and DENSE_RANK()
functions both assign ranks to rows based on specified criteria, but their ranking methodologies differ significantly. This article clarifies these differences and illustrates their practical applications.
RANK()
Function: Skipping Ranks for Ties
The RANK()
function assigns ranks hierarchically. Rows with identical values receive the same rank, but subsequent ranks are skipped. For example, if three rows share the highest value, they'll all be ranked 1, and the next rank will be 4 (skipping 2 and 3).
DENSE_RANK()
Function: Consecutive Ranks
DENSE_RANK()
provides consecutive ranks, even when ties exist. Using the same example, the three rows with the highest value would be ranked 1, 2, and 3, respectively, maintaining a continuous rank sequence.
Illustrative Example: Finding the Nth Highest Salary
Consider an employee table (emptbl
) to find the third-highest salary. Both functions can be used, but the results might vary:
SELECT empname, sal FROM emptbl ORDER BY sal DESC OFFSET 2 ROWS FETCH NEXT 1 ROWS ONLY;
This SQL utilizes OFFSET
and FETCH
for efficient pagination. The choice between RANK()
and DENSE_RANK()
here depends on whether you want to skip ranks in case of salary ties.
Handling NULL Values
The handling of NULL
values depends on the NULLS FIRST
or NULLS LAST
clause within the ORDER BY
statement. NULLS FIRST
ranks NULL
values before non-NULL
values, and vice-versa for NULLS LAST
.
Choosing the Right Function
Use RANK()
when distinct ranks are necessary, even with ties. DENSE_RANK()
is preferable when consecutive ranks are required, regardless of tied values. The selection depends entirely on the specific analytical requirements.
Further Learning
For a more comprehensive understanding, consult the official Oracle documentation:
The above is the detailed content of RANK() vs. DENSE_RANK() in Oracle: What's the Difference?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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