>>>I need to get the last 10 records of a table based on a condition. However, that table is pretty big and I don't want to use the TOP 10 clause as it will take too long. What type of approach can I use which would be the best? I am looking for a SQL approach. If that is not possible then I'll consider using code.
>>
>>How do you know that TOP 10 would take too long? Try

SELECT TOP 10 *, RECNO() AS recno ;
>>  FROM mytable ;
>>  WHERE < your condition > ;
>>  ORDER BY Recno DESC ;
>>  INTO CURSOR mycursor

>
>One a one million records table, it takes about 20 seconds to get the results. That's why I asked for another approach. I didn't think of that RECNO() approach. That is faster than what I used before. But, it is still too long.

Try

Select mytable 
SET ORDER TO
SET FILTER TO < your condition > 
GO BOTTOM
SKIP -9
COPY REST TO result