Top N within groups?

[was {SOLVED?] Re: [GENERAL] functional index not used, looping simpler
query just faster]
Ivan Sergio Borgonovo wrote:
> I'm still curious to know if this could be done
> efficiently with just one query.
>
[thinking out loud]
Can someone familiar with the source for DISTINCT ON comment on how hard
it would be to add another parameter to return more than one row?

e.g.
To do TOP 1 within an unknown number of groups
   select distinct on (groupid) groupid, identifier, count(*)
   from somequery
   group by groupid, identifier
   order by 1,3 desc,2;

I'm thinking that, for the top 3 within each group, something like
   select distinct on (groupid) FOR 3 groupid, identifier, count(*)
   from somequery
   group by groupid, identifier
   order by 1,3 desc,2;

For Ivan's case, groupid = brand, identifer = item. The where clause
applies the date limits.

klint.

--
Klint Gore
Database Manager
Sheep CRC
A.G.B.U.
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2350

Ph: 02 6773 3789
Fax: 02 6773 3266
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