# Query Order of Execution

*noun*

say it: **“KWEER-ee OR-der uv ek-sih-KYOO-shun”** **/ˈkwɪəri ˈɔːrdər əv ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃən/**

The order the database works through a query's clauses: FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, SELECT, then ORDER BY.

## What is **Query Order of Execution** in SQL?

**Query Order of Execution** — The order the database works through a query's clauses, which isn't the order you write them: `FROM`, `WHERE`, `GROUP BY`, `HAVING`, `SELECT`, then `ORDER BY`. It's why `WHERE` can't use a column alias but `ORDER BY` can.

```sql
SELECT CategoryID, COUNT(*) AS Products   -- 5
FROM Products                            -- 1
WHERE Discontinued = 0                   -- 2
GROUP BY CategoryID                      -- 3
HAVING COUNT(*) > 10                     -- 4
ORDER BY Products DESC;                  -- 6
```

## In a sentence

- “The **query order of execution** explains why WHERE can't use the alias I made in SELECT.”

Level: Journeyman · [More SQL terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary?category=sql&level=3)

Updated: October 28, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/query-order-of-execution