MySQL select 10 random rows from 600K rows fast

Matheus Mello
Matheus Mello
September 2, 2023
Cover Image for MySQL select 10 random rows from 600K rows fast

📢 MySQL: Select 10 Random Rows from 600K Rows, FAST! 🎲

Are you feeling lost in a sea of 600K rows, desperately searching for an efficient way to randomly select just 10 of them? Fear not, dear reader! I have heard your cry for help and have come bearing answers.

🎯 The Problem: Selecting Random Rows Efficiently 🤔

Selecting random rows from a massive table can be quite challenging. If you simply opt for the naive approach of ordering the table randomly and fetching the top 10 rows, you'll soon find yourself drowning in execution time. So, what's the solution?

💡 The Solution: Two Techniques to the Rescue 🚀

1️⃣ Technique 1: Using ORDER BY RAND() 🎲

One common method to select random rows in MySQL is by using the ORDER BY RAND() clause. However, this approach can slow down significantly as the table size grows, leading to performance woes. But don't worry, I've got your back! Here's a faster variation you can use:

SELECT * FROM your_table
ORDER BY RAND()
LIMIT 10;

2️⃣ Technique 2: Utilizing the Primary Key 🔑

This next technique leverages the primary key to improve performance. Assuming you have an auto-incrementing primary key column named id, try the following query to achieve blazing-fast random row selection:

SELECT * FROM your_table
WHERE id >= (
  SELECT FLOOR( MAX(id) * RAND() ) 
  FROM your_table
)
ORDER BY id
LIMIT 10;

🌟 Beautifully Selecting Random Rows, without the Performance Hangover

Now that you have two reliable techniques in your arsenal, you can easily select 10 random rows from a staggering 600K with lightning-fast speed. So go ahead and put your newfound knowledge to the test!

🔔 The Call-to-Action: Share Your Success Story! 🎉

I'd love to hear about the results you achieved using these techniques. Did your query execution time decrease dramatically? Were you able to finally conquer the challenge of selecting random rows efficiently? Share your success stories in the comments below and inspire fellow readers!

Remember, the SQL madness doesn't end here; there's always more to discover in the vast world of databases. So, stay tuned for future blog posts, and keep expanding your tech knowledge.

Happy fast querying! 😄🔍

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