I like the derived table/join approach... it gives you room to add as many columns as you need down the line, and it's more often than not faster than the...

Good luck with the upsizing .

That's why I asked you if the top 3 was static, that's another completly different solution if that number is dynamic.

Logic :

Select Cols from table where exists (check if...

You mean set @identity = SCOPE_IDENTITY()??

I always try to avoig temp table... but this one is definitly faster on bigger tables.

What do you do when it's not in top 25?, top 50%?

... where id = @Param... or you will whip out the while thing .

No I thaught that it was another way .

Isn't it what I proposed?

Code both, check the execution plan. I don't have a global answer that works for every case. And as always I think I can safely assume that it...

Check this thread out... not for the faint of heart .

Extended challenge for everyone - answer

What's the exact error?? Hard to help you without that.

Been there... now I learned the set approach . Hopefully that's what will get you to 2k

Yup, this is a case where the many tables needs to have some sort of order .

*Clever: A wifty idea you have today that generates copious amounts of work tomorrow.