how can i select one only to display if there's same thing more then one in table.

[jwsop]

Hi ..
i am SqL beginner. i having trouble output what i want from table.
table contain 3 columns
________________________________
|(names)|(item)|(location)|
1.| Jimmy | pizza| TX |
2.| Joe | ball | CA |
3.| Joe | ball | WA |
4.| Jim | shoes| AZ |
________________________________

i try to select all records out from this table. but column 2 and 3 contain same information in names and item only different is location. how can distinct one of them?? and display like the below, please advise.

|(names)|(item)|
1.| Jimmy | pizza|
2.| Joe | ball |
3.| Jim | shoes|
________________________________

[DLu]

You might use group by or distinct, either will solve your problem.
-D

[jwsop]

thanks . i only wants to show one if the names and item are the same. but i still wants to show all of them if the names is the same but item is different. or item is same and name is different. and if use distinct and group by, will only show one instead of 2??

[DLu]

yes, it will only show one instance of name and item if you use group by name, item;
-D