SQL Server - use a parameter to select the top X of the result set [duplicate]

Answer 1

As of SQL Server 2005 (but not before that), you can define a variable to determine your number of TOP rows returned:

DECLARE @returnCount INT

SET @returnCount = 15

SELECT TOP (@returnCount) * 
FROM dbo.table 
WHERE x = y

Answer 2

In SqlServer 2005 and up, do this:

CREATE PROCEDURE GetResults    (
    @ResultCount   int
)
AS

SELECT top(@ResultCount) FROM table where x = y

For earlier versions, use:

CREATE PROCEDURE GetResults    (
    @ResultCount   int
)
AS

SET ROWCOUNT @ResultCount

SELECT * FROM table where x = y

http://www.4guysfromrolla.com/webtech/070605-1.shtml for more information.