Re: Change this query

NC wrote:
> Oh dear
>
> we really have got of on the wrong foot !
> Sorry if you think I was lecturing.
>
> I was just indicating it was 8.1.7.2 in case someone was going to
> suggest a 9.x feature, and I am using RBO because the 3rd party
> application we use was coded that way and only supported that way.
> This bit of SQL is just a small part of a larger query forming a
> report.
>
> When I said I had licence to use hints, I meant I had authorisation or
> permission to use them, not that I was licensed by Oracle.
>
> Lastly, with repsect, tahiti.oracle.com is all well and good for
> documentation about the various options and syntax available etc, but
> when it comes to writing SQL, one still has to be rely on experience
> to understand how queries writen slightly differently can be more
> efficient than another one written in a different way, and it was for
> that experience that I posted the question.
>
> Best regards
>
> Neil

Now I believe you are not a student so here you are:

http://www.psoug.org/reference/decode_case.html

Look at the examples on the CASE function.

In 8i you will need to execute them from SQL*Plus. If you put them into a procedure they will only run as native dyamic SQL (with Execute Immediate).

-- 
Daniel Morgan
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/ext/certificates/oad/oad_crs.asp
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/ext/certificates/aoa/aoa_crs.asp
damorgan_at_x.washington.edu
(replace 'x' with a 'u' to reply)