Order Two Columns Independently - Problem

Given a table Data with two integer columns first_col and second_col, write a SQL query to independently sort the columns:

  • Sort first_col in ascending order
  • Sort second_col in descending order

The result should combine the sorted values by their row positions, not by their original relationships.

Table Schema

Data
Column Name Type Description
first_col int First integer column to be sorted ascending
second_col int Second integer column to be sorted descending
Note: This table may contain duplicate rows. No inherent relationship between column values.

Input & Output

Example 1 — Basic Independent Sorting
Input Table:
first_col second_col
1 4
3 2
2 3
Output:
first_col second_col
1 4
2 3
3 2
💡 Note:

The first_col is sorted in ascending order: [1, 2, 3]. The second_col is sorted in descending order: [4, 3, 2]. The results are combined by their new positions.
Example 2 — With Duplicate Values
Input Table:
first_col second_col
2 1
1 1
2 2
1 2
Output:
first_col second_col
1 2
1 2
2 1
2 1
💡 Note:

With duplicates, first_col ascending gives [1, 1, 2, 2] and second_col descending gives [2, 2, 1, 1]. The sorting maintains duplicate values while reordering independently.
Example 3 — Single Row
Input Table:
first_col second_col
5 10
Output:
first_col second_col
5 10
💡 Note:

With only one row, both columns remain unchanged as there's nothing to sort against.

Constraints

  • 1 ≤ n ≤ 1000 where n is the number of rows
  • first_col and second_col contain integers
  • The table may contain duplicate rows

Visualization

Tap to expand
Order Two Columns Independently - SQL ProblemInput: Mixed Datafirst_colsecond_col143223Window FunctionsROW_NUMBER() OVER(ORDER BY first_col ASC)ROW_NUMBER() OVER(ORDER BY second_col DESC)JOINOutput: Independently Sortedfirst_colsecond_col1423321Rank Columns2Independent Sort3Combine ResultsKey: Each column is sorted independently, then combined by row positionSQL Pattern: ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY col ASC/DESC) creates independent rankings
Understanding the Visualization
1
Input Table
Original data with unsorted columns
2
Independent Sorting
Use ROW_NUMBER() with different ORDER BY
3
Position Join
Combine sorted columns by row position
Key Takeaway
🎯 Key Insight: Use window functions to sort columns independently while maintaining row alignment through position-based joining

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