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idontunderstand
Starting Member
1 Post |
 Posted - 2006-09-19 : 00:21:59
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| I've been fooled by sql books on line again.in the Top-Clause section, they said INSERT TOP n INTO table columns SELECT * FROM othertable ORDER BY someColumnswill insert randomly n rows from the select result in to the table.Well, this is not the case.I want to randomly select 3 rows from a ordered select result, what's the easiest way to do that? anyone knows? thanks in advance. |
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timmy
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
1242 Posts |
Posted - 2006-09-19 : 00:29:20
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| You can use the random function (check BOL), but you need a unique numeric value in each row that can be used as a seed. |
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SwePeso
Patron Saint of Lost Yaks
30421 Posts |
Posted - 2006-09-19 : 01:26:54
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| ORDER BY NEWID()It takes longer time because NEWID() is a costsome operation, but it works.Peter LarssonHelsingborg, Sweden |
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Kristen
Test
22859 Posts |
Posted - 2006-09-19 : 01:34:10
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costsome = CostPlenty  |
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Kristen
Test
22859 Posts |
Posted - 2006-09-19 : 01:41:59
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"I've been fooled by sql books on line again.in the Top-Clause section, they said INSERT TOP n INTO table columnsSELECT * FROM othertableORDER BY someColumnswill insert randomly n rows from the select result in to the table.Well, this is not the case."FWIW I can't find that anywhere in BoL ... and the syntax is wrong too, it would need to be:INSERT INTO table (columns)SELECT TOP n * FROM othertableORDER BY someColumns and as the other have pointed out you would need to order by something which will randomise the ordering.Kristen |
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eyechart
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
3575 Posts |
Posted - 2006-09-19 : 03:15:23
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| this question has come up frequently in the last couple of weeks. Is this some kind of test question? -ec |
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how to scramble the order of a select result?