Set Limit for a Table Rows In SQL

Question

I want to set the limit for my table\'s rows. How can I do it?

For example 50 rows in my table.

Answer 1

What you want is having a INSTEAD OF INSERT trigger that checks the # of current rows. If already 50, you will raise an error by using RAISERROR. If not, you just insert the record.

Warning! Untested code ahead. It might contain typos or slight syntax errors. The code is supposed to show you the concepts involved. Tweak and adjust to your needs accordingly.

Like this:

CREATE TRIGGER checktablelimit 
ON yourtable 
INSTEAD OF INSERT 
AS 
  DECLARE @currentCount INT 

  SELECT @currentCount = COUNT(*) 
  FROM   yourtabletolimit 

  IF @currentCount = 50 
    BEGIN 
        RAISERROR ('Table already has 50 records', 
                   11, 
                   1); 
    END 
  ELSE 
    BEGIN 
        INSERT INTO yourtable 
                    (field1, 
                     field2, 
                     field3) 
        SELECT field1, 
               field2, 
               field3 
        FROM   inserted 
    END 

GO