SQL SELECT TOP, LIMIT, ROWNUM (2024)

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SELECT TOP, LIMIT and ROWNUM

The LIMIT, SELECT TOP or ROWNUM command is used to specify the number of records to return.

Note: SQL Server uses SELECT TOP. MySQL uses LIMIT, and Oracle uses ROWNUM.

The following SQL statement selects the first three records from the "Customers" table (SQL SERVER):

Example

SELECT TOP 3 * FROM Customers;

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Example

SELECT * FROM Customers
LIMIT 3;

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The following SQL statement shows the equivalent example using ROWNUM (Oracle):

Example

SELECT * FROM Customers
WHERE ROWNUM <= 3;

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Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about SQL keywords, specifically focusing on the usage of SELECT TOP, LIMIT, and ROWNUM across different database systems.

SELECT TOP (SQL Server):
- SQL Server employs the SELECT TOP keyword to limit the number of records returned by a query.
- The syntax is straightforward, as demonstrated in the example: SELECT TOP 3 * FROM Customers;
- This statement retrieves the first three records from the "Customers" table.
LIMIT (MySQL):
- MySQL uses the LIMIT clause to achieve the same goal of restricting the number of rows in the result set.
- The syntax in MySQL is illustrated in the example: SELECT * FROM Customers LIMIT 3;
- This query retrieves the first three records from the "Customers" table, similar to the SQL Server example.
ROWNUM (Oracle):
- Oracle employs the ROWNUM to limit the number of rows returned in a result set.
- The syntax is slightly different, as shown in the example: SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE ROWNUM <= 3;
- This Oracle query achieves the same outcome, selecting the first three records from the "Customers" table.

It's crucial to note the database-specific nuances in syntax when using these keywords. SQL Server uses SELECT TOP, MySQL utilizes LIMIT, and Oracle employs ROWNUM. Understanding these distinctions is essential for writing portable SQL code that can be seamlessly executed across different database management systems.

In summary, my expertise in SQL extends to the practical implementation of queries across various database platforms, and I am well-versed in the nuances of using keywords like SELECT TOP, LIMIT, and ROWNUM to optimize data retrieval processes.