MySQL Tutorial/Select Query/ORDER BY

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DESC keyword applies only to the column name immediately preceding it

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.06 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.01 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.01 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> SELECT first_name, start_date FROM employee
    -> ORDER BY first_name, start_date DESC;
+------------+------------+
| first_name | start_date |
+------------+------------+
| Alison     | 1976-03-21 |
| Celia      | 1982-10-24 |
| David      | 1990-12-31 |
| James      | 1996-09-17 |
| James      | 1978-12-12 |
| Jason      | 1996-07-25 |
| Linda      | 1987-07-30 |
| Robert     | 1984-01-15 |
+------------+------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>


On character type columns, sorting is normally performed in a case-insensitive fashion

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.05 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> select first_name from employee order by first_name;
+------------+
| first_name |
+------------+
| Alison     |
| Celia      |
| David      |
| James      |
| James      |
| Jason      |
| Linda      |
| Robert     |
+------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>


ORDER BY controls the sequence of results

The following example lists all the data from the "employee" table ordered alphabetically by city.



mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.03 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> SELECT * FROM employee ORDER BY city;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>


Order by with "limit" clause

mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Topic(
    ->    TopicID     SMALLINT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    ->    Name        VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
    ->    InStock     SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    OnOrder     SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    Reserved    SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    Department  ENUM("Classical", "Popular") NOT NULL,
    ->    Category    VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL,
    ->    RowUpdate   TIMESTAMP NOT NULL
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.03 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> INSERT INTO Topic (Name,          InStock, OnOrder, Reserved, Department,   Category) VALUES
    ->                   ("Java",          10,      5,       3,        "Popular",    "Rock"),
    ->                   ("JavaScript",    10,      5,       3,        "Classical",  "Opera"),
    ->                   ("C Sharp",       17,      4,       1,        "Popular",    "Jazz"),
    ->                   ("C",             9,       4,       2,        "Classical",  "Dance"),
    ->                   ("C++",           24,      2,       5,        "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("Perl",          16,      6,       8,        "Classical",  "Vocal"),
    ->                   ("Python",        2,       25,      6,        "Popular",    "Blues"),
    ->                   ("Php",           32,      3,       10,       "Popular",    "Jazz"),
    ->                   ("ASP.net",       12,      15,      13,       "Popular",    "Country"),
    ->                   ("VB.net",        5,       20,      10,       "Popular",    "New Age"),
    ->                   ("VC.net",        24,      11,      14,       "Popular",    "New Age"),
    ->                   ("UML",           42,      17,      17,       "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("www.sqle.ru",25,      44,      28,       "Classical",  "Dance"),
    ->                   ("Oracle",        32,      15,      12,       "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("Pl/SQL",        20,      10,      5,        "Classical",  "Opera"),
    ->                   ("Sql Server",    23,      12,      8,        "Classical",  "General");
Query OK, 16 rows affected (0.02 sec)
Records: 16  Duplicates: 0  Warnings: 0
mysql>
mysql> select * from Topic;
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
| TopicID | Name           | InStock | OnOrder | Reserved | Department | Category | RowUpdate           |
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
|       1 | Java           |      10 |       5 |        3 | Popular    | Rock     | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|       2 | JavaScript     |      10 |       5 |        3 | Classical  | Opera    | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|       3 | C Sharp        |      17 |       4 |        1 | Popular    | Jazz     | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|       4 | C              |       9 |       4 |        2 | Classical  | Dance    | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|       5 | C++            |      24 |       2 |        5 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|       6 | Perl           |      16 |       6 |        8 | Classical  | Vocal    | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|       7 | Python         |       2 |      25 |        6 | Popular    | Blues    | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|       8 | Php            |      32 |       3 |       10 | Popular    | Jazz     | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|       9 | ASP.net        |      12 |      15 |       13 | Popular    | Country  | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|      10 | VB.net         |       5 |      20 |       10 | Popular    | New Age  | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|      11 | VC.net         |      24 |      11 |       14 | Popular    | New Age  | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|      12 | UML            |      42 |      17 |       17 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|      13 | www.sqle.ru |      25 |      44 |       28 | Classical  | Dance    | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|      14 | Oracle         |      32 |      15 |       12 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|      15 | Pl/SQL         |      20 |      10 |        5 | Classical  | Opera    | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
|      16 | Sql Server     |      23 |      12 |        8 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:45 |
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
16 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> SELECT TopicID, Name, InStock
    -> FROM Topic
    -> WHERE Department="Classical"
    -> ORDER BY TopicID DESC
    -> LIMIT 3,4;
+---------+----------------+---------+
| TopicID | Name           | InStock |
+---------+----------------+---------+
|      13 | www.sqle.ru |      25 |
|      12 | UML            |      42 |
|       6 | Perl           |      16 |
|       5 | C++            |      24 |
+---------+----------------+---------+
4 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> drop table Topic;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.01 sec)


Order first 4 rows

mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Topic(
    ->    TopicID     SMALLINT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    ->    Name        VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
    ->    InStock     SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    OnOrder     SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    Reserved    SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    Department  ENUM("Classical", "Popular") NOT NULL,
    ->    Category    VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL,
    ->    RowUpdate   TIMESTAMP NOT NULL
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.08 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> INSERT INTO Topic (Name,          InStock, OnOrder, Reserved, Department,   Category) VALUES
    ->                   ("Java",          10,      5,       3,        "Popular",    "Rock"),
    ->                   ("JavaScript",    10,      5,       3,        "Classical",  "Opera"),
    ->                   ("C Sharp",       17,      4,       1,        "Popular",    "Jazz"),
    ->                   ("C",             9,       4,       2,        "Classical",  "Dance"),
    ->                   ("C++",           24,      2,       5,        "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("Perl",          16,      6,       8,        "Classical",  "Vocal"),
    ->                   ("Python",        2,       25,      6,        "Popular",    "Blues"),
    ->                   ("Php",           32,      3,       10,       "Popular",    "Jazz"),
    ->                   ("ASP.net",       12,      15,      13,       "Popular",    "Country"),
    ->                   ("VB.net",        5,       20,      10,       "Popular",    "New Age"),
    ->                   ("VC.net",        24,      11,      14,       "Popular",    "New Age"),
    ->                   ("UML",           42,      17,      17,       "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("www.sqle.ru",25,      44,      28,       "Classical",  "Dance"),
    ->                   ("Oracle",        32,      15,      12,       "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("Pl/SQL",        20,      10,      5,        "Classical",  "Opera"),
    ->                   ("Sql Server",    23,      12,      8,        "Classical",  "General");
Query OK, 16 rows affected (0.00 sec)
Records: 16  Duplicates: 0  Warnings: 0
mysql>
mysql> select * from Topic;
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
| TopicID | Name           | InStock | OnOrder | Reserved | Department | Category | RowUpdate           |
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
|       1 | Java           |      10 |       5 |        3 | Popular    | Rock     | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       2 | JavaScript     |      10 |       5 |        3 | Classical  | Opera    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       3 | C Sharp        |      17 |       4 |        1 | Popular    | Jazz     | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       4 | C              |       9 |       4 |        2 | Classical  | Dance    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       5 | C++            |      24 |       2 |        5 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       6 | Perl           |      16 |       6 |        8 | Classical  | Vocal    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       7 | Python         |       2 |      25 |        6 | Popular    | Blues    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       8 | Php            |      32 |       3 |       10 | Popular    | Jazz     | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       9 | ASP.net        |      12 |      15 |       13 | Popular    | Country  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      10 | VB.net         |       5 |      20 |       10 | Popular    | New Age  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      11 | VC.net         |      24 |      11 |       14 | Popular    | New Age  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      12 | UML            |      42 |      17 |       17 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      13 | www.sqle.ru |      25 |      44 |       28 | Classical  | Dance    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      14 | Oracle         |      32 |      15 |       12 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      15 | Pl/SQL         |      20 |      10 |        5 | Classical  | Opera    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      16 | Sql Server     |      23 |      12 |        8 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
16 rows in set (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> SELECT TopicID, Name, InStock
    -> FROM Topic
    -> WHERE Department="Classical"
    -> ORDER BY TopicID DESC
    -> LIMIT 4;
+---------+----------------+---------+
| TopicID | Name           | InStock |
+---------+----------------+---------+
|      16 | Sql Server     |      23 |
|      15 | Pl/SQL         |      20 |
|      14 | Oracle         |      32 |
|      13 | www.sqle.ru |      25 |
+---------+----------------+---------+
4 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> drop table Topic;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)


Sort by date

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.03 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.01 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> SELECT first_name, start_date FROM employee ORDER BY start_date;
+------------+------------+
| first_name | start_date |
+------------+------------+
| Alison     | 1976-03-21 |
| James      | 1978-12-12 |
| Celia      | 1982-10-24 |
| Robert     | 1984-01-15 |
| Linda      | 1987-07-30 |
| David      | 1990-12-31 |
| Jason      | 1996-07-25 |
| James      | 1996-09-17 |
+------------+------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>


Sort the results in reverse by appending DESC to the condition

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.01 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.01 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> SELECT * FROM employee ORDER BY first_name DESC;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>


To sort in reverse (descending) order, add the DESC keyword to the name of the column

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
ERROR 1050 (42S01): Table "employee" already exists
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.01 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
16 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> SELECT first_name, start_date FROM employee ORDER BY start_date DESC;
+------------+------------+
| first_name | start_date |
+------------+------------+
| James      | 1996-09-17 |
| James      | 1996-09-17 |
| Jason      | 1996-07-25 |
| Jason      | 1996-07-25 |
| David      | 1990-12-31 |
| David      | 1990-12-31 |
| Linda      | 1987-07-30 |
| Linda      | 1987-07-30 |
| Robert     | 1984-01-15 |
| Robert     | 1984-01-15 |
| Celia      | 1982-10-24 |
| Celia      | 1982-10-24 |
| James      | 1978-12-12 |
| James      | 1978-12-12 |
| Alison     | 1976-03-21 |
| Alison     | 1976-03-21 |
+------------+------------+
16 rows in set (0.01 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>


To use a case-sensitive sort for a column by using BINARY

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.08 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.01 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> select first_name from employee ORDER BY BINARY first_name;
mysql>
mysql>


Using both DESC and ASC in order clause

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Topic(
    ->    TopicID     SMALLINT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    ->    Name        VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
    ->    InStock     SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    OnOrder     SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    Reserved    SMALLINT UNSIGNED NOT NULL,
    ->    Department  ENUM("Classical", "Popular") NOT NULL,
    ->    Category    VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL,
    ->    RowUpdate   TIMESTAMP NOT NULL
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> INSERT INTO Topic (Name,          InStock, OnOrder, Reserved, Department,   Category) VALUES
    ->                   ("Java",          10,      5,       3,        "Popular",    "Rock"),
    ->                   ("JavaScript",    10,      5,       3,        "Classical",  "Opera"),
    ->                   ("C Sharp",       17,      4,       1,        "Popular",    "Jazz"),
    ->                   ("C",             9,       4,       2,        "Classical",  "Dance"),
    ->                   ("C++",           24,      2,       5,        "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("Perl",          16,      6,       8,        "Classical",  "Vocal"),
    ->                   ("Python",        2,       25,      6,        "Popular",    "Blues"),
    ->                   ("Php",           32,      3,       10,       "Popular",    "Jazz"),
    ->                   ("ASP.net",       12,      15,      13,       "Popular",    "Country"),
    ->                   ("VB.net",        5,       20,      10,       "Popular",    "New Age"),
    ->                   ("VC.net",        24,      11,      14,       "Popular",    "New Age"),
    ->                   ("UML",           42,      17,      17,       "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("www.sqle.ru",25,      44,      28,       "Classical",  "Dance"),
    ->                   ("Oracle",        32,      15,      12,       "Classical",  "General"),
    ->                   ("Pl/SQL",        20,      10,      5,        "Classical",  "Opera"),
    ->                   ("Sql Server",    23,      12,      8,        "Classical",  "General");
Query OK, 16 rows affected (0.02 sec)
Records: 16  Duplicates: 0  Warnings: 0
mysql>
mysql> select * from Topic;
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
| TopicID | Name           | InStock | OnOrder | Reserved | Department | Category | RowUpdate           |
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
|       1 | Java           |      10 |       5 |        3 | Popular    | Rock     | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       2 | JavaScript     |      10 |       5 |        3 | Classical  | Opera    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       3 | C Sharp        |      17 |       4 |        1 | Popular    | Jazz     | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       4 | C              |       9 |       4 |        2 | Classical  | Dance    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       5 | C++            |      24 |       2 |        5 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       6 | Perl           |      16 |       6 |        8 | Classical  | Vocal    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       7 | Python         |       2 |      25 |        6 | Popular    | Blues    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       8 | Php            |      32 |       3 |       10 | Popular    | Jazz     | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|       9 | ASP.net        |      12 |      15 |       13 | Popular    | Country  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      10 | VB.net         |       5 |      20 |       10 | Popular    | New Age  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      11 | VC.net         |      24 |      11 |       14 | Popular    | New Age  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      12 | UML            |      42 |      17 |       17 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      13 | www.sqle.ru |      25 |      44 |       28 | Classical  | Dance    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      14 | Oracle         |      32 |      15 |       12 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      15 | Pl/SQL         |      20 |      10 |        5 | Classical  | Opera    | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
|      16 | Sql Server     |      23 |      12 |        8 | Classical  | General  | 2007-07-23 19:09:44 |
+---------+----------------+---------+---------+----------+------------+----------+---------------------+
16 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> SELECT Department, Category, Name
    -> FROM Topic
    -> WHERE (InStock+OnOrder-Reserved)<15
    -> ORDER BY Department DESC, Category ASC;
+------------+----------+------------+
| Department | Category | Name       |
+------------+----------+------------+
| Popular    | Country  | ASP.net    |
| Popular    | Rock     | Java       |
| Classical  | Dance    | C          |
| Classical  | Opera    | JavaScript |
| Classical  | Vocal    | Perl       |
+------------+----------+------------+
5 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> drop table Topic;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)


We can use two or more ORDER BY conditions

mysql>
mysql>
mysql> CREATE TABLE Employee(
    ->     id            int,
    ->     first_name    VARCHAR(15),
    ->     last_name     VARCHAR(15),
    ->     start_date    DATE,
    ->     end_date      DATE,
    ->     salary        FLOAT(8,2),
    ->     city          VARCHAR(10),
    ->     description   VARCHAR(15)
    -> );
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->              values (1,"Jason",    "Martin",  "19960725",  "20060725", 1234.56, "Toronto",  "Programmer");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(2,"Alison",   "Mathews",  "19760321", "19860221", 6661.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(3,"James",    "Smith",    "19781212", "19900315", 6544.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(4,"Celia",    "Rice",     "19821024", "19990421", 2344.78, "Vancouver","Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(5,"Robert",   "Black",    "19840115", "19980808", 2334.78, "Vancouver","Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(6,"Linda",    "Green",    "19870730", "19960104", 4322.78,"New York",  "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(7,"David",    "Larry",    "19901231", "19980212", 7897.78,"New York",  "Manager");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> insert into Employee(id,first_name, last_name, start_date, end_Date,   salary,  City,       Description)
    ->               values(8,"James",    "Cat",     "19960917",  "20020415", 1232.78,"Vancouver", "Tester");
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql> select * from Employee;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> SELECT * FROM employee ORDER BY first_name, last_name DESC;
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| id   | first_name | last_name | start_date | end_date   | salary  | city      | description |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
|    2 | Alison     | Mathews   | 1976-03-21 | 1986-02-21 | 6661.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    4 | Celia      | Rice      | 1982-10-24 | 1999-04-21 | 2344.78 | Vancouver | Manager     |
|    7 | David      | Larry     | 1990-12-31 | 1998-02-12 | 7897.78 | New York  | Manager     |
|    3 | James      | Smith     | 1978-12-12 | 1990-03-15 | 6544.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    8 | James      | Cat       | 1996-09-17 | 2002-04-15 | 1232.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
|    1 | Jason      | Martin    | 1996-07-25 | 2006-07-25 | 1234.56 | Toronto   | Programmer  |
|    6 | Linda      | Green     | 1987-07-30 | 1996-01-04 | 4322.78 | New York  | Tester      |
|    5 | Robert     | Black     | 1984-01-15 | 1998-08-08 | 2334.78 | Vancouver | Tester      |
+------+------------+-----------+------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------------+
8 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql>
mysql> drop table Employee;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.02 sec)
mysql>


You can retrieve rows in random order

SELECT * FROM tbl_name ORDER BY RAND();