select distinct records - sql

Question

I have a table like as shown above. As you can see that value in the "v_ctra_no" column repeats. What type of sql query should I use so that I am able to select those rows whose "v_ctra_no" value is unique. Like for example
col_name1 col_name2 col_name3
Ctra#001 Cash 200
Ctra#002 Sales 40
Ctra#003 Purchase 1000
I tried to use the query mentioned below but it does not work
SELECT DISTINCT(v_ctra_no),v_ctra_date,v_ctra_id FROM TBL_ACC_CTRA_VCH_MSB

Answer 1

It looks like you're trying to sum up the sales amounts. Seems that this is more what you are looking for:
SELECT v_ctra_no, v_ctra_dr_ledgeacc_name, SUM(v_ctra_dr_ledgeacc_amt) AS v_total_sales
FROM TBL_ACC_CTRA_VCH_MSB
GROUP BY v_ctra_no, v_ctra_dr_ledgeacc_name
This will show the account number and account name, along with the total (SUM) of all of the entries in the account amount column. As long as the account name is the same for all of the account number entries, then you won't have any duplicates.
However, you may want to consider restructuring your database (if you have that option), so that account details are separate to the separate sales amounts.
If you don't want the sales information and just want the account details along with the dates, then you can do a distinct on the name like this:
SELECT DISTINCT v_ctra_no, v_ctra_date
FROM TBL_ACC_CTRA_VCH_MSB
However, you will get duplicates for each time the date is different but the account number stays the same. If you think about it for a bit, it makes sense.
If you just want the distinct account numbers, then just use:
SELECT DISTINCT v_ctra_no
FROM TBL_ACC_CTRA_VCH_MSB