Selecting random rows

Question

Hi all, My requirement is simple.I want to select random rows from a table.

For example my table having 10 rows I want to select any three rows randomly.Is there any way in psql.

score 9 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 19 '11 at 06:45

9

Use the random function.

SELECT * FROM tablename ORDER BY random() LIMIT 3;

edited Feb 19 '11 at 06:45

coreyward

answered Feb 19 '11 at 06:44

Vivek Goel

score 4 · Answer 2 · edited Feb 20 '11 at 18:42

4

Please be aware that once your table grows the "order by random/limit" approach will be slow, since it requires a whole table scan.

edited Feb 20 '11 at 18:42

Wayne Conrad

answered Feb 20 '11 at 17:28

Martin S.

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 19 '11 at 06:45

1

Try this !

$ select * from table_name order by random() limit 3 ;

answered Feb 19 '11 at 06:45

abubacker

3 Answers3