title: How to select N random rows using pure SQL?
body: <p>How do we combine <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/19412/how-to-request-a-random-row-in-sql">How to request a random row in SQL?</a> and <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/183124/multiple-random-values-in-sql-server-2005">Multiple random values in SQL Server 2005</a> to select N random rows using a single pure-SQL query? Ideally, I'd like to avoid the use of stored procedures if possible. Is this even possible?</p>
  
  <p><strong>CLARIFICATIONS</strong>:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Pure SQL refers to as close as possible to the ANSI/ISO standard.</li>
  <li>The solution should be "efficient enough". Granted ORDER BY RAND() might work but as others have pointed out this isn't feasible for medium-sized tables.</li>
  </ol>