How Can I Retrieve Data in a Specific Order in MySQL Without Relying on a Field\'s Value?

Preserving Order in Query Results: A Solution

In MySQL, retrieving data in a specific order without relying on a specific field's value can be challenging. Consider the following scenario: selecting IDs 7, 2, 5, 9, and 8 while maintaining this exact order as the result.

The traditional approach of using IN clauses, as shown in the provided examples, does not guarantee the desired order. However, an intriguing solution has emerged that leverages the FIND_IN_SET function:

SELECT id FROM table
WHERE id in (7, 2, 5, 9, 8)
ORDER BY FIND_IN_SET(id, "7,2,5,9,8");

This query effectively assigns each ID a position in the sequence "7,2,5,9,8". The FIND_IN_SET function returns the position of the ID in the given sequence. For example, ID 7 is at position 1, ID 2 is at position 2, and so on.

By sorting the results by the output of FIND_IN_SET, the query ensures that the retrieved IDs align with the specified order in the second argument. This intricate solution enables developers to impose a predetermined order on query results, opening up new possibilities for data manipulation.

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