RE: Do triggers cause a context switch between SQL & PL/SQL

From: Jacques Kilchoer <Jacques.Kilchoer_at_quest.com>
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2003 16:08:40 -0800
Message-ID: <F001.00577927.20030401160840@fatcity.com>

Your query with the exists would be the same as doing this, right? select count(*)
  into numrows
from from ApplicationFormCriteria
where ApplicationFormCriteria.applicationFormId = :old.applicationFormId

      and rownum = 1 ;

-----Original Message-----
Sent: mardi, 1. avril 2003 13:04
To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L

A context switch is order because a trigger is a pl/sql object ... if you can change the trigger ... instead of count(*) try using exists assuming you have a usable index ...
select count(*)
  into numrows
from dual
where exists ( select 1

                from ApplicationFormCriteria 
               where ApplicationFormCriteria.applicationFormId =

:old.applicationFormId);
If you have an index on "ApplicationFormCriteria.applicationFormId", this should fly ... and still accomplish what you need. The basic problem here is the developer doesn't understand the question. If the question is "Is there at-least one row that mayches a given value so that I can restrict the delete"? then my solution is the right one. If the question is "How many rows do I have matches a given value so I can ... "? then the SQL you have is the right one. Looking at the pl/sql code, the question is the former one and the SQL used by the developer is the wrong one. When you do a count(*) oracle will search the table till the HWM, if the table is large, it will make lot of difference. Where the query above will stop after it finds the first matching row, most likely doing less work that the query you have. You can say I am picking on the semantics, but see how much difference it makes?

--

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--

Author: Jacques Kilchoer
  INET: Jacques.Kilchoer_at_quest.com

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