apache / apache/datafusion

Support columns having the same alias

Open
#6,543 24 comments 1 reaction 0 assignees View on GitHub
bug
Dominant language
Rust
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Description

### Describe the bug

When we give the same aliases for multiple columns (`SELECT ts as c1, inc_col as c1 FROM annotated_data_infinite`), builder gives such an error:
`Plan("Projections require unique expression names but the expression \"annotated_data_infinite.ts AS c1\" at position 0 and \"annotated_data_infinite.inc_col AS c1\" at position 1 have the same name. Consider aliasing (\"AS\") one of them.")`

### To Reproduce

```
ctx.sql(
"CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE annotated_data_infinite (
ts INTEGER,
inc_col INTEGER,
desc_col INTEGER,
)
STORED AS CSV
WITH HEADER ROW
WITH ORDER (ts ASC)
LOCATION '/Users/berkaysahin/Desktop/arrow-datafusion/datafusion/core/tests/data/window_1.csv'",
)
.await?;
let sql = "SELECT ts as c1, inc_col as c1 FROM annotated_data_infinite";
let dataframe = ctx.sql(sql).await.expect(&msg);
```

### Expected behavior

Postgre can handle it and gives result with two columns having the same name. I don't know this is an intentional behaviour in Datafusion or a bug, but I would like to open an issue.
### Additional context

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start with the SQL reproduction in the issue: SELECT ts as c1, inc_col as c1 FROM annotated_data_infinite, and trace the planner path that reports duplicate projection names. Compare the resulting behavior with the stated PostgreSQL expectation; done means the query's two same-named output columns are handled consistently and the relevant behavior is covered by a regression test.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
rust, sql
Domain
backend, databases
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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