>sqlserver 2000 that i use doesn't recognize the TOP clauseof the select 200 * from ...
>
>in the help file of sqlserver, it said that TOP is a reserved word and it must not be used.
>
>is there a another way to select the n top records ?

NO WAY!!!
In SQL Server 2000 you can't use VARIABLE in TOP clause but you still could use SELECT TOP 200.
And TOP is reserved word but it is reserved word just for that case.
And it must be not use to name fields, tables, datasbases, variables :-)