How to Retrieve the Nth Row from a Database Table Regardless of the DBMS?

Database-Independent Methods for Retrieving the Nth Row

Overview

Accessing a particular database table row by its position is a frequent task. Although individual database systems (DBMS) provide their own methods, several approaches work across different database platforms.

Cross-DBMS Techniques

• OFFSET-LIMIT Clause:

  • PostgreSQL, MySQL: Utilize SELECT ... LIMIT y OFFSET x

• Window Functions:

  • Oracle, SQL Server, DB2: Employ window functions as follows:

    SELECT * FROM (
      SELECT
        ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY key ASC) AS rownumber,
        columns
      FROM tablename
    ) AS foo
    WHERE rownumber = n

DBMS-Specific Solutions

• SQL Server: The window function approach (as described above) is applicable.

• MySQL: The OFFSET-LIMIT clause (as described above) is the preferred method.

• PostgreSQL: Both the OFFSET-LIMIT clause and window functions (for versions 8.4 and later) are suitable.

• SQLite: Support for both OFFSET-LIMIT and window functions is available in version 3.25.0 and later.

• Oracle: The window function method (as detailed previously) is the standard approach.

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