Question

table : category  
    | id + category_name + parent_category_id |
    | 1  | Flower        |          0         |
    | 2  | Wall Decor    |          0         |
    | 3  | Stylish Living|          0         |
    | 4  | Mug           |          0         |
    | 5  | Sun Flower    |          1         |
    | 6  | Balsam        |          1         |

i try to list data with sort order parent category first and then sub-category.

Flower
flower > Sun Flower
flower > Balsam
Wall Decor
Stylish Living
Mug    

as i try i can’t get like above , below is what i get, flower > Sun Flower and flower > Balsam should under Flower .

Flower
Wall Decor
Stylish Living
Mug   
flower > Sun Flower
flower > Balsam

really appreciate if someone can give some idea or solution.

Answer 1

SELECT category
FROM (
  SELECT
     IF(p.category_name is null, c.category_name, CONCAT(p.category_name, ' > ', c.category_name)) AS 'category'
  FROM category c
  LEFT JOIN category p ON c.parent_category_id = p.category_id
) s
ORDER BY category

…is the best I can come up with for the results you want. See it working.