MySQL Select DISTINCT multiple columns based on the uniqueness of one row?

Question

I\'m trying to understand what this query does exactly:

SELECT DISTINCT `state`, `state_name` FROM `geo` ORDER BY `state_name` ASC

All I\'m

Answer 1

It's checking for unique combinations of state and state_name. Distinct operates on all columns included in your select list.

To only include unique state values, just select distinct state