it is about maintaining the full code path behind the RBO, keeping it in all regression tests, checking it over and over again on all platforms and all releases -- and last but not least, produce bug fixes if they don't do the testing properly. and indeed, the SQL Tuning Advisor is able to call the CBO in Tuning mode, and come back with a *statement specific* bunch of optimization goodies, aka SQL profiles. RBO is dead. kind regards, Lex. --------------------------------------------- Visit my website at http://www.naturaljoin.nl --------------------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Post, Ethan If there really is significant QA/Testing/Development that has to be done to maintain the RBO then I understand but I would like to know the "truth" about the matter. If the truth is that maintaining the RULE hint isn't all that more complicated than maintaining the USE_HASH hint then I would like to see it stay. Recall, my argument is that Oracle only maintain the hint at the SQL statement level and that it does not need to be supported. -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l