Optimizer statistics are a collection of data that describe more details about the database and the objects in the database. These statistics are used by the query optimizer to choose the best execution plan for each SQL statement. Optimizer statistics include the following:
Table statistics: a) Number of rows b) Number of blocks c) Average row length
Column statistics: a) Number of distinct values (NDV) in column b) Number of nulls in column c) Data distribution (histogram)
Index statistics: a) Number of leaf blocks b) Levels c) Clustering factor
System statistics a) I/O performance and utilization b) CPU performance and utilization
DBMS_STATS
The DBMS_STATS package was introduced in Oracle 8i and is Oracles preferred method of gathering object statistics. Oracle list a number of benefits to using it including parallel execution, long term storage of statistics and transfer of statistics between servers. Once again, it follows a similar format to the other methods:
EXEC DBMS_STATS.gather_database_stats;
EXEC DBMS_STATS.gather_database_stats(estimate_percent => 15);
EXEC DBMS_STATS.gather_schema_stats('SCOTT');
EXEC DBMS_STATS.gather_schema_stats('SCOTT', estimate_percent => 15);
EXEC DBMS_STATS.gather_table_stats('SCOTT', 'EMPLOYEES');
EXEC DBMS_STATS.gather_table_stats('SCOTT', 'EMPLOYEES', estimate_percent => 15);
EXEC DBMS_STATS.gather_index_stats('SCOTT', 'EMPLOYEES_PK');
EXEC DBMS_STATS.gather_index_stats('SCOTT', 'EMPLOYEES_PK', estimate_percent => 15);This package also gives you the ability to delete statistics:
EXEC DBMS_STATS.delete_database_stats;
EXEC DBMS_STATS.delete_schema_stats('SCOTT');
EXEC DBMS_STATS.delete_table_stats('SCOTT', 'EMPLOYEES');
EXEC DBMS_STATS.delete_index_stats('SCOTT', 'EMPLOYEES_PK');