Within SQL, what does distinct mean

Hi everybody
We are on V7r3

My question is in the subject
Within SQL, what does distinct mean?
I always thought that it was a "glorified" group by, order by
For example:- Within an SQL query, I have created a work file (CTE) that has 7 fields
There are duplicate records within this CTE - which is valid, based upon how this data is collected
I want to cull this down to unique records - so I ended my SQL with the following
Select distinct Field1, Field2, Field3, Field4, Field5, Field6, Field7 from CTE
Thinking that the results would be a list of unique records
But it isn't.
I can see duplicate records
To remove these duplicates I have to insert the following SQL instead

Select Field1, Field2, Field3, Field4, Field5, Field6, Field7 from CTE
Group by Field1, Field2, Field3, Field4, Field5, Field6, Field7
Order by Field1, Field2, Field3, Field4, Field5, Field6, Field7

Is my understanding of distinct incorrect?
Am I using it wrong?


Alan Shore
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