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SQLRANKDENSE_RANKwindow

What are RANK and DENSE_RANK in SQL? Ranking with ties for beginners

RANK and DENSE_RANK are ranking functions where equal values get equal ranks. Plain words: the difference between ROW_NUMBER (always unique), RANK (ties get equal rank with gaps after), and DENSE_RANK (equal rank without gaps). With tables, an Olympic-style example, and common pitfalls.

1 min readSQL · RANK · DENSE_RANK · window · tutorial

RANK and DENSE_RANK are window functions for ranking with ties. Equal values get equal ranks. The difference between them is what happens after the tie — RANK leaves a gap, DENSE_RANK doesn't.

This article is currently in Russian. The full English translation is on the way.

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