C# SQL Top as parameter

Question

Trying to parameterize the value of TOP in my sql statement.

SELECT TOP @topparam * from table1  command.Parameters.Add("@topparam",SqlDbType.VarChar, 10).Value = somevalue.ToString(); 

This doesn't seem to work. Anyone have any suggestions?
Just to clarify, I don't want to use stored procedures.

Answer 1

In SQL Server 2005 and above, you can do this:

SELECT TOP (@topparam) * from table1 

Answer 2

You need to have at least SQL Server 2005. This code works fine in 2005/8 for example ...

DECLARE @iNum INT SET @iNum = 10 SELECT TOP (@iNum) TableColumnID FROM TableName 

If you have SQL Server 2000, give this a try ...

CREATE PROCEDURE TopNRecords @intTop INTEGER AS SET ROWCOUNT @intTop  SELECT * FROM SomeTable  SET ROWCOUNT 0 GO