Trying to get the top N records from a query.

Question

Hello,
Im trying to get the top N records of a random query. I've been looking for a decent solution for a while now and the 2 solutions I've come across are:
select *
from (select * from qrs_klantgroepen order by code) a
where rownum < 10
ORA-00907: missing right parenthesis
The query works when I remove the order clause from the subquery, but it's mandatory to get the results I need.
The next solution:
select *
from (select code, row_number() over (order by code) from qrs_klantgroepen) a
where rownum < 10
ORA-00923: FROM keyword not found where expected
Apparently the construct used here isn't supported by my oracle version.
I'm using oracle Oracle8 Enterprise Edition Release 8.0.5.2.1.
Is there another way I can achieve the results I want?
Looking forward to your replies.
Frederik

Answer 1

it must be nostalgy, but I would try something like
SQL> select * from emp e where 5>(select count(*) from emp where ename<e.ename) order by ename;
     EMPNO ENAME      JOB              MGR HIREDATE                   SAL       COMM     DEPTNO
      7876 ADAMS      CLERK           7788 1987-05-23_00:00:00       1100                    20
      7499 ALLEN      SALESMAN        7698 1981-02-20_00:00:00       1600        300         30
      7698 BLAKE      MANAGER         7839 1981-05-01_00:00:00       2850                    30
      7782 CLARK      MANAGER         7839 1981-06-09_00:00:00       2450                    10
      7902 FORD       ANALYST         7566 1981-12-03_00:00:00       3000                    20
SQL> select * from (select * from emp order by ename) where rownum<6;
     EMPNO ENAME      JOB              MGR HIREDATE                   SAL       COMM     DEPTNO
      7876 ADAMS      CLERK           7788 1987-05-23_00:00:00       1100                    20
      7499 ALLEN      SALESMAN        7698 1981-02-20_00:00:00       1600        300         30
      7698 BLAKE      MANAGER         7839 1981-05-01_00:00:00       2850                    30
      7782 CLARK      MANAGER         7839 1981-06-09_00:00:00       2450                    10
      7902 FORD       ANALYST         7566 1981-12-03_00:00:00       3000                    20Message was edited by:
Laurent Schneider