David Garamond <lists(at)zara(dot)6(dot)isreserved(dot)com> writes:
> Challenge question: is there a simpler way to do query #1 (without any
> PL, and if possible without sequences too?
Can't without sequences AFAIK, but you certainly can do it simpler:
select setval('seq1', 0);
select nextval('seq1'), * from
(select count(*) as numranker,
gold, silver, bronze
from countrymedal
group by gold, silver, bronze
order by gold desc, silver desc, bronze desc) ss;
regards, tom lane