It appears that you still need two statements though - one with
SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS
to count the number of rows and save that for later and
SELECT FOUND_ROWS()
to get the number.

But at least it means that you don't have to run the whole query again without the LIMIT.

That was a very short answer

What? You wanted me to write it for you? ;)

I figured you might work it out from the link provided and you did. Yes, you have it correct, that is exactly how it works. Nice job.

select count(*) from table1 where ......

then

select field1, field2 from table1 where ...... LIMIT 100

Please i would like to know the answer cause i am already using the method i wrote, so i would change it if your method is better & faster!

Thanks in advance

SELECT count(*) is slower than SELECT count(ID)

you mean the opposite?
I think SELECT count(*) is faster than SELECT count(ID)

Faster than select count(*) then select with LIMIT?

Thanks