Looking at my Oracle unit tests, we use this to stuff the row count into the parameter:
"P_ROWCOUNT" := SQL%ROWCOUNT;
As for only returning a set number of rows... you can certainly use the WHERE ROWCOUNT < X as the equivalent of SQL TOP X. We do this in places where we need to generate a SELECT TOP dynamically. But if you want the raw rowcount of the table, you'll just have to use SELECT COUNT(*).
I am using Oracle SPs to handle my Inserts, Updates, etc. I noticed that I had to have an out parameter named ROWCOUNT in order for my SPs to work.
Does SF use the ROWCOUNT parameter? Is there a way I can access via my BOs?
Cheers,
Keith