PHP MYSQL multiple or single DISTINCT/UNIQUEvalues

Question

Currently I have this query:

SELECT column1,column2 FROM table

column1 needs to be distinct, column2 does not.

SELECT DISTINCT column1, NON-DISTINCT column2 FROM table

Now I know that doesn't make sense but I need column1 to be distinct and column2 to be anything. How would I do that.

Answer 1

Try this (fastest):

SELECT *
FROM `table`
GROUP BY pid
HAVING min( id )

second (slower) option:

select *
from `table` t1
where
    t1.id = (select min(id) from `table` t2 where t1.pid = t2.pid)

Answer 2

select pid, group_concat(distinct bla1) as bla1s
from table
group by pid;

The above will get you 1 row for each pid and you'll be able to see if there are extra bla1s without introducing a new column or having to settle for a random choice of multiple bla1s.