title: How can I get just the first row in a result set AFTER ordering?
body: <p>This gives me just one row (the first one):</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT BLA
  FROM BLA
  WHERE BLA
  AND ROWNUM &lt; 2
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>However, I want the most recent date val; I can make that the first row this way:</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT BLA
  FROM BLA
  WHERE BLA
  ORDER BY FINALDATE DESC
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When I try to mix the two partial victories, though, it doesn't work - apparently the "Select the first row only" logic fires <em>before</em> the order by, and then the order by is subsequently ignored.</p>