SQL> connect scott/tiger@db11107 Connected. SQL> select * from v$version; BANNER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oracle Database 11g Enterprise Edition Release 11.1.0.7.0 - 64bit Production PL/SQL Release 11.1.0.7.0 - Production CORE 11.1.0.7.0 Production TNS for IBM/AIX RISC System/6000: Version 11.1.0.7.0 - Production NLSRTL Version 11.1.0.7.0 - Production SQL> set timing on SQL> declare 2 x varchar2(1000); 3 begin 4 for i in 1 .. 10000 loop 5 x := dbms_utility.format_call_stack; 6 end loop; 7 end; 8 / PL/SQL procedure successfully completed. Elapsed: 00:00:00.06 SQL> connect scott/tiger@db11202 Connected. SQL> select * from v$version; BANNER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oracle Database 11g Enterprise Edition Release 11.2.0.2.0 - 64bit Production PL/SQL Release 11.2.0.2.0 - Production CORE 11.2.0.2.0 Production TNS for IBM/AIX RISC System/6000: Version 11.2.0.2.0 - Production NLSRTL Version 11.2.0.2.0 - Production SQL> set timing on SQL> declare 2 x varchar2(1000); 3 begin 4 for i in 1 .. 10000 loop 5 x := dbms_utility.format_call_stack; 6 end loop; 7 end; 8 / PL/SQL procedure successfully completed. Elapsed: 00:00:03.31 <<======== !!!!! Do people see similar on their own platforms ? Cheers Connor -- Connor McDonald =========================== email: connor_mcdonald@xxxxxxxxx web: http://www.oracledba.co.uk "Semper in excremento, sole profundum qui variat"