Hi Vibha,
This sure is confusing. I tend to agree with Nick, but the explanation you provide also makes sense. I was about to write that the optimizer's workings may vary over products, but then I realized this is the Oracle forum
. That 's no variable, then.
One thing you can do is simply trying: it shouldn't be that hard to create the table and do some tests, run explain plans for the statements, and see what the results are. That 'll do away with the confusion.
The other thing is: who 's the source of your alternative explanation? Is it an authorative source on Oracle, or could we question it? An assesment of the authorativeness might help
.
Good riding,
Ruud.