RE: Difference between count(1) and count(*)

Try the following test (using your own table instead of sys.source$ if you wish) on your setup and forever dispel any myths: :-)  

set trimspool on

set timing on

spool test_count.lst

Prompt Using Sys.Source$ for the test

Prompt

Prompt Row Count using all columns

select count(*) from sys.source$;

Prompt Row Count using a specific numbered column

select count(1) from sys.source$;

Prompt Row Count using the pseudo-column rownum

select max(rownum) from sys.source$;

Prompt Row Count using the ROWID column

select count(rowid) from sys.source$;

Prompt Counting a Not-NULL column

select count(obj#) from sys.source$;

Prompt Counting a NULL column

select count(source) from sys.source$;

spool off

set timing off

set trimspool off  

Cheers,  

Vasan.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jared Still [mailto:jkstill_at_cybcon.com] Sent: 08 July 2004 08:20
To: Oracle-L Freelists
Subject: Re: Difference between count(1) and count(*)  

On Wed, 2004-07-07 at 23:28, Lyndon Tiu wrote:

> On Thu, 8 Jul 2004 11:27:28 +0530 oracle-l_at_freelists.org wrote:

> > Dear All,

> > Can you let me know the difference between count(*) and count(1) ?

>

> count(1) is supposed to be more efficient and faster.
 

Notice the qualifier: 'supposed to be'  

Was the claim backed up by evidence?  

Jared      

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