How to request a random row in SQL?

Question

How can I request a random row (or as close to truly random as is possible) in pure SQL?

Answer 1

You didn't say which server you're using. In older versions of SQL Server, you can use this:

select top 1 * from mytable order by newid()

In SQL Server 2005 and up, you can use TABLESAMPLE to get a random sample that's repeatable:

SELECT FirstName, LastName
FROM Contact 
TABLESAMPLE (1 ROWS) ;