How best to Count(*) with a CASE STATEMENT?
<p>The following SQL (on SQL Server) returns an error of: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Incorrect syntax near '*'</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Is there something inherently wrong with using the following SELECT statement?:</p>

<pre><code>SELECT
COUNT(CASE WHEN &lt;conditions&gt; THEN * ELSE NULL END) as conditionalcountall
FROM TABLE
</code></pre>

<p>I tried this variation which also failed:</p>

<pre><code>SELECT
CASE WHEN &lt;conditions&gt; THEN COUNT(*) ELSE NULL END as conditionalcountall
FROM TABLE
</code></pre>