It is sometimes useful when working with SQL to grab random rowsets, for debugging stored procedures or simply grabbing a random ad for an ad rotator. Either way, different databases use different functions to select this randomization.

• Select a random row with MySQL:

  SELECT * FROM mytable
  ORDER BY RAND()
  LIMIT 1;
  

• Select a random row with PostgreSQL:

  SELECT * FROM mytable
  ORDER BY RANDOM()
  LIMIT 1;
  

• Select a random row with Microsoft SQL Server:

  SELECT TOP 1 column FROM table
  ORDER BY NEWID();