RDBMs used to do an authorization check on a count(*), since the "*"
generally represents all columns. But the database engine developers
eventually figured out it means something else in this context and took out
the check. This was not just an Oracle thing. Sybase and DB2 used to do the
same thing. But all are fixed, now.
"Daniel Morgan" <damorgan_at_exesolutions.com> wrote in message
news:3CC5B6A7.CEE028B2_at_exesolutions.com...
> Great. Another myth goes down in flames.
>
> And I've seen this one repeated in numerous places. Last time, I think, in
an
> OCP prep book for 9i.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Daniel Morgan
>
>
>
> Alan wrote:
>
> > I've done
> >
> > SELECT COUNT(*)
> > SELECT COUNT(ROWNUM)
> > and even
> > SELECT MAX(ROWNUM)
> >
> > on tables with 1,000,000+ rows.
> > No significant difference...
> >
> > "Daniel Morgan" <damorgan_at_exesolutions.com> wrote in message
> > news:3CC579DE.3833EBA2_at_exesolutions.com...
> > > Bricklen Anderson wrote:
> > >
> > > > uh oh, this discussion again...
> > > >
> > > > Maurice Samuels wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > hi,
> > > > > can someone explain to me why the count(1) syntax works and is
faster
> > than a count(*)?
> > > > > i looked in the oracle docs and while it doesn't specifically go
into
> > the count(1) syntax, it does read
> > > > > that the count operator works as follows:
> > > > > COUNT({* | [DISTINCT|ALL] expr})
> > > > >
> > > > > then in the EXPRESSIONS section of the docs, it reads that an
> > expression can be text, number, etc.
> > > > > i'm just a little perplexed by the count(1) syntax.
> > > > > thanks in advance.
> > > > > -maurice
> > > > > samuels_at_seas.upenn.edu
> > >
> > > Come on Bricklen, don't just point out the obvious ... stick your neck
out
> > and help him. <g>
> > >
> > > Maurice ... search the google archives.
> > >
> > > How was that for avoiding a confragration.
> > >
> > > One of these days I'm going to insert 100,000,000 rows in a table and
try
> > it out. Anyone have the time and
> > > incliniation? If so try: SELECT COUNT(*), SELECT COUNT(1), and SELECT
> > COUNT(ROWID).
> > >
> > > Daniel Morgan
> > >
>
Received on Tue Apr 23 2002 - 15:50:25 CDT
