I think that he is filtering duplicates values for request_id column: ... (select max(rowid) from vrcdba.max_update group by request_id ) ... but "and request_id not in (select request_id from max_update where server ='cas1');" Would be "and server <> 'cas1' "? I don't know the reason for this query too. Best Regards On 3/10/06, Christian Antognini <Christian.Antognini@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > Hi > > > > > I see the following SQL from the Developer, > > > > > > select * from max_update where rowid in > > (select max(rowid) from vrcdba.max_update group by request_id ) > > and request_id not in (select request_id from max_update where server > ='cas1'); > > > > > Takes for ever > > > > You should ask the developer what is the aim for such a query. Honestly, I > don't see how it could be useful! > > > > Chris > -- Domingo Diaz Saenz