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SQL SELECT LAST

SQL SELECT LAST

In SQL, the concept of “SQL SELECT LAST” typically refers to retrieving the most recent or last records from a database table. This is often used when you want to access the latest data entries, such as the most recent transactions, orders, or updates.

To retrieve the last records in SQL, you typically use the ORDER BY clause in conjunction with DESC (descending order) and possibly LIMIT or TOP to restrict the number of rows returned.

The LAST() function in Structured Query Language shows the last value from the specified column of the table. Syntax of LAST() Function

SELECT LAST (Field_Name) FROM Table_Name ;  
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Example of SQL SELECT LAST

CREATE TABLE Students (
    Student_ID INT PRIMARY KEY,
    Student_Name VARCHAR(50),
    Student_Course VARCHAR(50),
    Student_Age INT,
    Student_Marks INT
);
INSERT INTO Students (Student_ID, Student_Name, Student_Course, Student_Age, Student_Marks)
VALUES
    (101, 'Anuj', 'B.tech', 20, 88),
    (102, 'Raman', 'MCA', 24, 98),
    (104, 'Shyam', 'BBA', 19, 92),
    (107, 'Vikash', 'B.tech', 20, 78),
    (111, 'Monu', 'MBA', 21, 65),
    (114, 'Jones', 'B.tech', 18, 93),
    (121, 'Parul', 'BCA', 20, 97),
    (123, 'Divya', 'B.tech', 21, 89),
    (128, 'Hemant', 'MBA', 23, 90),
    (130, 'Nidhi', 'BBA', 20, 88),
    (132, 'Priya', 'MBA', 22, 99),
    (138, 'Mohit', 'MCA', 21, 92);
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Student_IDStudent_NameStudent_CourseStudent_AgeStudent_Marks
101AnujB.tech2088
102RamanMCA2498
104ShyamBBA1992
107VikashB.tech2078
111MonuMBA2165
114JonesB.tech1893
121ParulBCA2097
123DivyaB.tech2189
128HemantMBA2390
130NidhiBBA2088
132PriyaMBA2299
138MohitMCA2192
SELECT LAST (Student_Name) AS Last_Student FROM Student_Details; 
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Output

Conclusion

In conclusion, while SQL does not have a specific “SELECT LAST” function, you can achieve similar results using techniques such as ordering by a timestamp column in descending order and limiting the result set, or by using subqueries to find the maximum value of a specific column to identify the last record(s) in a table. The exact method may vary depending on the specific SQL database system being used. By understanding these techniques, you can effectively retrieve the most recent or last records from a database table to meet your data querying needs.

Frequently asked questions

What does SQL SELECT LAST do?

SQL SELECT LAST is not a built-in function in SQL. However, it refers to the concept of retrieving the last or most recent records from a database table.

How can I retrieve the last record from a table in SQL?

You can retrieve the last record from a table in SQL by ordering the records by a timestamp or date column in descending order and then limiting the result set to one row.

Does SQL have a specific function for selecting the last record?

No, SQL does not have a dedicated function like “SELECT LAST”. Instead, you typically use ordering and limiting techniques to achieve the desired result.

Can I use subqueries to retrieve the last record in SQL?

Yes, you can use subqueries to find the maximum value of a timestamp or date column and then filter the records based on that value to retrieve the last record(s).

What are some alternative methods for retrieving the last record in SQL?

Besides using ordering and limiting or subqueries, you can also consider using window functions like ROW_NUMBER() or ranking functions if your SQL database system supports them.