SQL not a single-group group function

Well the problem simply-put is that the SUM(TIME) for a specific SSN on your query is a single value, so it’s objecting to MAX as it makes no sense (The maximum of a single value is meaningless).

Not sure what SQL database server you’re using but I suspect you want a query more like this (Written with a MSSQL background – may need some translating to the sql server you’re using):

SELECT TOP 1 SSN, SUM(TIME)
FROM downloads
GROUP BY SSN
ORDER BY 2 DESC

This will give you the SSN with the highest total time and the total time for it.

Edit – If you have multiple with an equal time and want them all you would use:

SELECT
SSN, SUM(TIME)
FROM downloads
GROUP BY SSN
HAVING SUM(TIME)=(SELECT MAX(SUM(TIME)) FROM downloads GROUP BY SSN))

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