Re: array_agg order by

jdmorgan <jdmorgan@unca.edu> writes:
> I am using a array_agg to get a subset of data to use in a 
> query.However, I can't figure out how to get the data returned in the 
> array_agg function to sort with an order by function.Any help would be 
> appreciated.Here is my query as it is now.I am using postgresql 8:

Well, if you were using 9.0 or later, you could do this "right":
select array_agg(foo order by bar), otherstuff from ..tables..;

You can kind of get there in older versions with a sub-select:
select array_agg(foo), otherstufffrom  (select foo, otherstuff from ..tables.. order by whatever) ss;

However that's a bit shaky because you can't do very much in the outer
query, like say grouping, without risking messing up the sort ordering.
You have to keep a close eye on the EXPLAIN output for your query to
make sure nothing re-sorts the data before it gets to the Aggregate
step.
        regards, tom lane