I get this code below, first glance says, this should work, Oracle is so much like C, gives you a gun, ammo, takes off the safety and has the trigger most of the way pulled while pointing the gun at your foot and assists you in pulling the trigger the rest of the way. declare current_date date; ctr number; begin current_date:='30-OCT-07'; SELECT count(distinct SECURITY_ALIAS) into ctr FROM DATAMARTDBO.SECURITY_DETAILS WHERE EFFECTIVE_DATE = current_date; dbms_output.put_line('CTR1:'||ctr); SELECT count(distinct SECURITY_ALIAS) into ctr FROM DATAMARTDBO.SECURITY_DETAILS WHERE EFFECTIVE_DATE = '30-OCT-07'; dbms_output.put_line('CTR2:'||ctr); end; / CTR1: 0 CTR2: 35178 _______________________________________ Joe Testa, Oracle Certified Professional Senior Consultant Data Engineering and Administration Nationwide Investments (Work) 614-677-1668 (Cell) 614-312-6715 Interested in helping out your marriage? Ask me about "Weekend to Remember" Dec 11-13, 2009 here in Columbus.