I do think that there are ambiguities in the results you expect but here is something to help you define better what you really need:

-- create table data (sequence_number int,...

Just create a calculated column on the table and then set an index on it

your query will end up been like:

select ...... calculated_column > 0

Cheers,

What do you mean that you can't specify an order on stored data?

Example: select * from statement_report order by sequence_number

That order, is on the retrieved data not on the the...

I second Sergiy opinion you can't specify an order on stored data. Please post DDL and we may be able to help you.

UPDATE m

set status = mb.status

FROM master m

     join mastermasterbackup mb

      on m.number = mb.number

Standard Edition is only supported on SERVER platforms Windows XP is a DESKTOP platform. If you want to install SQL Server locally on Windows XP use the DEVELOPER EDITION

Make sure you have an index in

FILE_NAME  and  FIELD_NAME

I am pretty sure that is not the order by is the JOIN TYPE!!! Can you post the query plan you are getting? Merge joins require ordered input or at...

Isn't that what I just posted ?

try appending ... OPTION(ROBUST PLAN) ... to the query

I don't have sp4. This error tends to happen with "text" columns and merge joins!!

Cheers,

Sorry for the delay Yes I goofed when writing the post but it si  easy to fix:

select object_name(id) n, sum(datalengh(text)) char_cnt

from syscomments

group by object_name(id)

order by...

This works for me:

select object_name(id) n, sum(datalengh(text)) char_cnt

from syscomments

group by n

order by char_cnt desc

You can do it ... sort of with temp tables:

...

select 1 as record_id, c.costumer_name, a.address, s.order_number

into

#T1

FROM salesorders s, addressess a, customers c

where 1=2

I may not have been in this field as long as you have but I don't consider myself a newbie

Your "standard" SQL 92...

If you are posting a solution that does not works with MS SQL Server in an MS SQL Server Forum what sense does that makes???