SQL Server Sorting Guide: ORDER BY & Indexes

In SQL Server, methods for sorting tables typically involve using the ORDER BY clause and indexes.

1. By using the ORDER BY clause: You can sort the table by using the ORDER BY clause in the SELECT statement. For example:

SELECT * FROM table_name ORDER BY column_name;

Tables can be sorted in ascending or descending order based on the specified column.

1. Utilizing Indexes: Creating suitable indexes can enhance query performance and allow query results to be sorted according to the index columns. Indexes can be created to achieve sorting of tables, for example:

CREATE INDEX index_name ON table_name (column_name);

This will create an index on the specified column, allowing for sorting according to the order of the indexed column during queries.

1. Using a CLUSTERED INDEX: When creating a table, you can specify a CLUSTERED INDEX, which will physically sort the table’s data in the order of the indexed column. This means that query results will always be sorted in the order of the CLUSTERED INDEX.

These methods can assist in sorting tables in SQL Server, improving query performance and obtaining the desired sorting results.