SQL: List unique substring from fields in table

Question

I'm running a query to retrieve the first word from a string in a colum like so..

SELECT SUBSTRING_INDEX( `field` , ' ', 1 ) AS `field_first_word`FROM `your_table`

But this allows duplicates, what do I need to add to the statement to get unique list of words out?

Jason McCreary · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-01 02:18:03Z

1

For example:

SELECT DISTINCT SUBSTRING_INDEX( `field` , ' ', 1 ) AS `field_first_word` FROM `your_table`

Note: There are performance implications for DISTINCT. However, in your case, there is likely limited pure MySQL alternatives.

answered Jun 1, 2012 at 2:18

Jason McCreary

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1 Comment

No worries. Enjoy tomorrow. Just 10pm here.

Cameron S · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-01 02:18:08Z

1

To remove duplicates in a SELECT statement, change to SELECT DISTINCT column. In this case:

SELECT DISTINCT SUBSTRING_INDEX( `field` , ' ', 1 ) AS `field_first_word`FROM `your_table`

answered Jun 1, 2012 at 2:18

Cameron S

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