How do I select an entire row which has the largest ID in the table?

Strategies for unique and non-unique large IDs

Popularity can be a double-edged sword. If your maximum ID is unique, handling it is easy. Things get tricky when the maximum ID is a popular fellow. Let's tackle both scenarios:

1. Unique Maximum ID: Adding LIMIT to your life

As long as your maximum ID is unique, use the ORDER BY and LIMIT tag team:

SELECT * 
FROM your_table 
ORDER BY id DESC 
LIMIT 1; 


/** LIMIT 1 - When your SQL query has commitment issues. */

2. Non-unique Maximum ID: Employ the 'Sub-Select' Secret Service

When maximum ID values are not unique, a single row won't cut it. Bring on the sub-select:

SELECT * 
FROM your_table 
WHERE id = (SELECT MAX(id) FROM your_table);


/** Now that's a subquery with a spy mission: Fetch all rows with the max ID! */

Secret SQL weapons: Analytical functions

The analytical functions RANK() or ROW_NUMBER() can give you control with style:

SELECT * 
FROM (
  SELECT *, RANK() OVER (ORDER BY id DESC) AS rank 
  FROM your_table
) ranked 
WHERE rank = 1;


/** Who needs regular functions when you have analytical functions strutting down SQL Avenue? */ In this glamorous query, each row gets a rank based on the id value. Rows with the maximum IDs will have a rank of 1. Finally, chew on a piece of this outer query cake.

Shedding spotlight on specific situations

In the glamorous world of SQL, not everything is black and white. Let's sparkle some colour:

Ensuring repeat performance with non-unique IDs

If your ID values can pull off multiple characters, the combination of ORDER BY and LIMIT 1 can lead your query performance to a red carpet disaster. Here's the blockbuster sequel fix:

SELECT * FROM your_table 
WHERE id = (SELECT MAX(id) FROM your_table) 
ORDER BY another_field 
LIMIT 1;


/** Who doesn't love a sequel that's better than the original?! */

MAX(id) within WHERE clause: Because who likes clutter?

Using SELECT MAX(id) within a subquery in the WHERE clause is like picking the Oscar winner without the red carpet. It avoids the overhead of a grand event or, in SQL terms, avoids sorting:

SELECT * FROM your_table 
WHERE id = (SELECT MAX(id) FROM your_table);


/** A subquery with a purpose, so fresh and clean! */

Using CTEs, window functions, or JOINs when Maximum ID is not enough

Your table queries can be more complex, demanding more than just a printout of the highest ID. That's when CTEs, window functions, or JOIN operations come to the rescue, so you don't need to compromise!