Question

I wondering about how in T-SQL can I retrieve – let’s say – 1/2 of total row count form a table (basing on some criteria) or even the first 50 rows (basing on some criteria too) ?

Answer 1

using SQL TOP Clause

SQL Server Syntax

 SELECT TOP number|percent column_name(s)
   FROM table_name

 example : 

   SELECT TOP 50 PERCENT * FROM tablename

MySQL Syntax

SELECT column_name(s)
FROM table_name
LIMIT number

Oracle Syntax

SELECT column_name(s)
FROM table_name
WHERE ROWNUM <= number