Hint are NOT removed. I ran a simple test with a simple Select in a PLSLQ block I ran the block 4 times once all lower case, then upper, then split on two line and last one with a hint. Here is what shows up in v$sqlarea SQL> select action, executions, version_count, hash_value, sql_text 2 from v$sqlarea 3 where module = 'PLSQL' and command_type != 47 4 order by hash_value; ACTION EXEC VERSIONS HASH_VALUE SQL_TEXT ---------- ----- -------- ------------ -------------------------------------------- HINT 1 1 2245097906 SELECT /*+ full (e) */ COUNT(*) FROM EMP E LOWER 3 1 2728343546 SELECT COUNT(*) FROM EMP E 2 rows selected. Notice the simple query is run 3 times as the same code, the PL/SQL engine converted it all formatting as noted. The one with the hint does show up as a different statement, the hint is NOT removed. A regular comment is removed. If you'd like the full code on this test let me know. +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+ Ric Van Dyke Education Director Hotsos Ltd. Hotsos Symposium March 2-6 2014 Make your plans to be there now! -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of rajendra.pande@xxxxxxx Sent: Monday, February 24, 2014 9:12 AM To: Oracle-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: ORACLE Statements in a PLSQL Block Came across this MOS note How to Determine the SQL_ID of a SQL Statement in a PL/SQL Block (Doc ID 741724.1) As part of the note it goes on to say that "The SQL statement within the PL/SQL block is actually stored separately, but you cannot see it because: * every sql statement in a PL/SQL block is stored as capital letters * every comment and INTO clause are removed If that is the case does it not have implications for the optimizer related to performance and statement tuning. .. Given that all hints are also removed Wondering if someone has done some research and blogging on this topic Regards Please visit our website at http://financialservicesinc.ubs.com/wealth/E-maildisclaimer.html for important disclosures and information about our e-mail policies. For your protection, please do not transmit orders or instructions by e-mail or include account numbers, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, or other personal information. -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l