Re: Histogram worthwhile?

  • From: Greg Rahn <greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: kerry.osborne@xxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:17:41 -0800

On Tue, Feb 24, 2009 at 8:24 AM, Kerry Osborne
<kerry.osborne@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I have to say that I think "Bind Variable Peeking" is a bug that Oracle has
> dressed up as a feature for the last several years. It just makes no sense
> at all to purposely introduce instability the way bind variable peeking
> does. In my opinion, histograms cause more problems than they solve if you
> don't take the time to apply literals appropriately in your statements (i.e.
> where you have skewed data and have built a histogram). Karen's paper is a
> great reference on the subject, by the way. Unfortunately, 10g's default
> stats gathering approach creates histograms all over the place. Anyway, 11g
> finally addresses the issue.

I think it may be a bit of an overstatement that bind peeking is a
bug.  I have never heard anyone complain when they get better plans
with bind peeking on.  But then again, I really would not expect it.
Better stated perhaps, don't mix binds on columns that have histograms
and skew as it is a bit of a conflict of interest.  On one hand you
want to reuse the plan, on the other you don't.  A bit schizophrenic
at times maybe...

Some of my notes on the topics:
http://structureddata.org/2008/03/26/choosing-an-optimal-stats-gathering-strategy/
http://structureddata.org/2007/11/21/troubleshooting-bad-execution-plans/

I'd be interested in hearing from people on 11g using histograms and
binds to get a feel what the experience is with the new feature
designed to address the known issues.

-- 
Regards,
Greg Rahn
http://structureddata.org
--
//www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l


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