Re: how do i count() similar items

<snip> 
> To ensure data integrity,
> you should probably create a fruit_type table with a unique column that
> lists the possible types, and then foreign key the fruit_type column in
> the fruits table to that to ensure nothing funky is entered.  An enum
> for type is another possibility.

In the real world, this column actiually holds Operating Systems.
I have 7 variants of Windows XP, even more of server, a dozen *nixes,
etc, etc and it is fed from an external app.
So I am looking for a magic query, or even a perl function to wrap up
insde a procedure, whatever.