I need a way to get the top 100 records without using LIMIT or TOP...

something like this:
create table person(name varchar(30), age int);

...and I need just the 100 oldest people... anyone know how to do this?

I'd say this....that assuming SQL Server 2005, I'd use the new ability to use a variable in TOP N

DECLARE @NumRecs int
SET @NumRecs = 100
SELECT TOP(@NumRecs) * FROM Person ORDER BY Age DESC

And if the teacher/recruiter said 'no', I'd slap the bejeezus out of them.

(I just had a run-in with a moronic recruiter, so I'm in a mood right now)

Kevin