Is there a single query that can update a "sequence number" across multiple groups? - sql

Question

Given a table like below, is there a single-query way to update the table from this:
| id | type_id | created_at | sequence |
|----|---------|------------|----------|
| 1 | 1 | 2010-04-26 | NULL |
| 2 | 1 | 2010-04-27 | NULL |
| 3 | 2 | 2010-04-28 | NULL |
| 4 | 3 | 2010-04-28 | NULL |
To this (note that created_at is used for ordering, and sequence is "grouped" by type_id):
| id | type_id | created_at | sequence |
|----|---------|------------|----------|
| 1 | 1 | 2010-04-26 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 | 2010-04-27 | 2 |
| 3 | 2 | 2010-04-28 | 1 |
| 4 | 3 | 2010-04-28 | 1 |
I've seen some code before that used an # variable like the following, that I thought might work:
SET #seq = 0;
UPDATE `log` SET `sequence` = #seq := #seq + 1
ORDER BY `created_at`;
But that obviously doesn't reset the sequence to 1 for each type_id.
If there's no single-query way to do this, what's the most efficient way?
Data in this table may be deleted, so I'm planning to run a stored procedure after the user is done editing to re-sequence the table.

Answer 1

You can use another variable storing the previous type_id (#type_id). The query is ordered by type_id, so whenever there is a change in type_id, sequence has to be reset to 1 again.
Set #seq = 0;
Set #type_id = -1;
Update `log`
Set `sequence` = If(#type_id=(#type_id:=`type_id`), (#seq:=#seq+1), (#seq:=1))
Order By `type_id`, `created_at`;

Answer 2

I don't know MySQL very well, but you could use a sub query though it may be very slow.
UPDATE 'log' set 'sequence' = (
select count(*) from 'log' as log2
where log2.type_id = log.type_id and
log2.created_at < log.created_at) + 1
You'll get duplicate sequences, though, if two type_ids have the same created_at date.