[thelist] SQl: Top xx

[rudy]

> I'm looking for a generic SQL way to get the latest x number
> of records based on date.  I know on MS SQL Server I can
> use TOP, but I don't think that is "cross-database" compatible.
> Right now, I am using the MaxRows attribute of CFQUERY to
> limit the number, but I'd rather do it in the query. This is for an
> application that could be run on most popular databases, so I
> would llike to make it as DB agnostic as possible.

hi chris

whoa, coincidence? today's tipworld sql tip was about this very topic --


http://www.topica.com/lists/tipworld-sql/read/message.html?mid=1602211537&s
ort=d&start=410

the same solution is presented in the following evolt article --

  http://evolt.org/article/TopTenSQL/18/131/evolt.org

which is getting a bit long in the tooth now   =o)

i think the TOP keyword is actually standard SQL3 but as you point out it
may not be supported by all databases

rudy.ca

p.s. i love the term "database agnostic"