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sql-servercounttop-n

Count(*) againt Top 1 in SQL Server

We work with tables with a lot of records. Anyone knows if is better to make a Count(*) or a Top 1 to know if a specific record exists or a group of records match some conditions. Also this type of sentence lock the table or I need to specify no lock the table.

Solution

  • If you don't care about the possibility of dirty reads you can try this 

       SELECT TOP(1)
       FROM YourTable WITH (NOLOCK)
    WHERE ..... (your conditions here)