Generate serial number in mysql query

Question

I have a table: student_marks

marks -----   44   55   64   98   76 

Expected output:

serial_number|marks --------------------   1          | 44   2          | 55   3          | 64   4          | 98   5          | 76 

Using mysql user defined variables, it could be done using query:

 set  @a:=0;select @a:=@a+1 serial_number, marks from student_marks; 

Is there any way to achieve this in msyql without using user defined variables?

Answer 1

Based on your reasons for not wanting to use user defined variables as wanting to avoid having 2 queries, one for inializing and one to use it you could use the following:

SELECT  @a:=@a+1 serial_number,          marks  FROM    student_marks,         (SELECT @a:= 0) AS a;