The optimizer IS deterministic. If it generates a different plan - even with the same cost - then something that affects its decision path was different - even if you think everything is the same. How about posting some details. jo_holvoet@xxxxxxxx wrote: > Hi all, > > Oracle 8.1.7.4 on 64-bit Solaris 8. > I've run into a situation where the same query run on the same instance > from the same session gets a different execution plan from one run to the > next (confirmed this with the STAT-lines in a 10046 trace). Both execution > plans apparently get the same cost from CBO. Am I right in thinking that > in such a case the CBO is not "deterministic" (i.e. it will not arrive at > the same plan every time) but randomly arrive at one of the plans with the > same lowest cost ? > "Both execution plans apparently get the same cost from CBO" How do you know? -- Regards Wolfgang Breitling Centrex Consulting Corporation www.centrexcc.com -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l