How to use SQL Parameter in this situation

Question

My query is this: "SELECT TOP 5 * FROM [TableName] ORDER By NEWID()"

But I want to use a SQL Parameter so it could be something like this: "SELECT TOP @ParameterName * FROM [TableName] ORDER By NEWID()"

The normal way dosen't work:

Ct.Command.CommandText = "SELECT TOP @ParameterName * FROM [TableName] ORDER By NEWID()"
Ct.Command.Parameters.AddWithValue("@ParameterName", SomeValue)

How can I add a Parameter in this situation?

Answer 1

Simply put parenthesis around the parameter. Supported since SQL Server 2005

Ct.Command.CommandText = "SELECT TOP (@ParameterName) * FROM [TableName] ORDER By NEWID()"

Note: TOP without parenthesis is for backwards compatibility; they should always be used

For backward compatibility, TOP expression without parentheses in SELECT statements is supported, but we do not recommend this.