sql - Select unique records and display as category headers in rails -

i have rails 3.2 app running on postgresql, , have data want display in view, stored in database in structure:

+----+--------+------------------+--------------------+ | id | name   | sched_start_date | task               | +----+--------+------------------+--------------------+ | 1  | "ben"  | 2013-03-01       | "check debris" | +----+--------+------------------+--------------------+ | 2  | "toby" | 2013-03-02       | "carry out y1.1"   | +----+--------+------------------+--------------------+ | 3  | "toby" | 2013-03-03       | "check oil seals"  | +----+--------+------------------+--------------------+ 

i display list of tasks each name, , names ordered asc first sched_start_date have, should ...

 ben 2013-03-01 – check debris  toby 2013-03-02 – carry out y1.1 2013-03-03 – check oil seals 

the approach starting taking run query unique names , order them sched_start_date asc, run query each name tasks.

to list of unique names, sql this.

select *  (    select distinct on (name) name, sched_start_date     tasks ) p  order sched_start_date; 

i know if correct approach (querying unique names running query tasks), or if there better rails way.

assuming have associations in model able run

@employees = employee.order(:name, :sched_start_date, :task).includes(:tasks) 

you iterate on them:

@employees.each |employee|   employee.name   employee.tasks.each |task|     task.name   end end 

this isn't gonna match needs, should show start.