select distnict problem

  • Hi there, i'm having a small problem with

    select distinct query. I guess the problem is that it works too good. I am trying to

    get State names but i only want one of each.

    The problem is that some records dont have anything in the state field (foreign customers). So i get an empty record at the very front. I dont seem to be able to get rid of it in any way i tried which is:

    1:sticking a where clause at the end of select distinct: where state is not null and state<>''

    2:trying to skip that record when i read my recordset with asp.

    neither worked.

    any suggestions??

  • select statename

    from states

    where state is not null

    and state <> ""

    group by statename

  • Thanks Klaas but that will not work.

    First of because it returns duplicates and second it STILL returns that blank one.

  • select distinct statename

    from states

    where ISNULL(LTRIM(RTRIM(state)),'') != ''

    -Dan


    -Dan

  • Thanks Dan but i still get that blank record.

    I dont know maybe there is some invisible character stuck in there. Is there any way to tell? I looks blank in enterprize manager.

    it is really driving me crazy!

  • If it's a hidden char, then that is difficult to detect, maybe try this:

    
    
    select distinct statename
    from states
    where state not like '%[^A-Z ]%' and state like '%[A-Z]%'

    You can use this if you have case-sensitivity turned on: '%[^A-Za-z ]%'

    -Dan

    Edited by - dj_meier on 11/15/2002 08:02:59 AM


    -Dan

  • Dan, that worked like a charm. Thanks a bunch!

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