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Window Functions for Top Items
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Window Functions for Top Items

MediumSQL · PostgreSQL

Problem

Write a query using window functions to find the top three most-ordered food items for each city on a monthly basis.

Use completed orders only and treat ordered quantity as the ranking measure. Return only the top three items per city and month.

Output

  1. One row per city, month, and qualifying food item.
  2. Columns: city, month, food_item, total_quantity, and item_rank.
  3. Order by city, month, item_rank, then food_item.

Output details

  • Format month as YYYY-MM.
  • Rank items by total_quantity descending.
  • Break equal quantities by food_item ascending.
  • Assign unique ranks and retain exactly three items per city and month.
  • Sort city, month, item_rank, and food_item in ascending order.

Schema

orders
ColumnTypeDescription
order_idPKINTUnique order identifier
cityVARCHAR(100)City where the order was placed
order_dateDATEDate when the order was placed
statusVARCHAR(30)Order fulfillment status
order_items
ColumnTypeDescription
order_item_idPKINTUnique order line identifier
order_idINTReferenced order
food_item_idINTReferenced food item
quantityINTNumber of units ordered
food_items
ColumnTypeDescription
food_item_idPKINTUnique food item identifier
food_nameVARCHAR(120)Food item name
Tablesordersorder_itemsfood_items
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