Introduction to the LAG() Function in SQL Server

In SQL Server, LAG() is a window function that enables us to access a value from a previous row in the same result set, without the need to perform a self-join.

We specify the previous row as an offset from the current row. An offset of 1 means the previous row, an offset of 2 means two rows back, and so on.

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How to Use the LAST_VALUE() Function in SQL Server

In SQL Server, the LAST_VALUE() function returns the last value in an ordered set of values.

LAST_VALUE() is a window function that enables us to get a value from the last row of a query result set or partition. This can be useful for when we want to do stuff such as compare a value from the current row with a value in the last row or include it in a calculation.

You may need to explicitly set the window frame if you want LAST_VALUE() to return the actual last value from the partition or result set. That’s because the default window frame ends with the current row. This is covered in the example below.

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How to Use the FIRST_VALUE() Function in SQL Server

In SQL Server, FIRST_VALUE() is a window function that returns the first value in an ordered set of values.

Basically, we can use it to get a value from the first row of a query result set or partition. This can be handy if we want to compare a value in the current row with a value in the first row, or use it as part of a calculation.

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Calculate the Difference Between the Current Row and a Following Row in MySQL

In MySQL, we can use the LEAD() function to get the value of a subsequent row. For example we can get a value from the next row, or the one after that, and so on.

This enables us to do things like compute the difference between a value in the current row and a value in a following row. We can do this even if both values are in the same column.

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How to Fix Error “window function nth_value requires an OVER clause” in PostgreSQL

If you’re getting an error that reads “window function nth_value requires an OVER clause” in PostgreSQL, it’s because you’re calling the nth_value() function without an OVER clause.

PostgreSQL requires that you include an OVER clause any time you call a built in nonaggregate window function such as nth_value().

To fix this issue, add an OVER clause to your window function.

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How to Fix Error “The function ‘CUME_DIST’ must have an OVER clause” in SQL Server

If you’re getting an error that reads “The function ‘CUME_DIST’ must have an OVER clause” when using SQL Server, it’s because you’re calling the CUME_DIST() function without an OVER clause.

The CUME_DIST() function requires an OVER clause (and that clause must have an ORDER BY clause).

To fix this issue, be sure to include an OVER clause when calling the CUME_DIST() function.

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