Question

How do I pick distinct as well as random rows from a SQL Server 2008/2005 table?

I have a list of tips from which I need to pick a few tips randomly and they must be unique too.

I tried:

Select 
    Distinct Tips 
From 
    jfpastrologytips 
Where 
    GetDate() <= validtill 
Order by 
    NewId()

and got commissioned with exception

Msg 145, Level 15, State 1, Line 1
ORDER BY items must appear in the select list if SELECT DISTINCT is specified.

Answer 1

You can get around this by using GROUP BY instead of DISTINCT

Select Tips 
From jfpastrologytips 
Where GetDate() <= validtill 
GROUP BY Tips 
Order by NewId()