The optimizer cost model relies on statistics collected about the objects involved in a query,and the database and host where the query runs. Statistics are critical to the optimizer's ability to pick the best execution plan for a sql statement. Optimizer statistics include the following: Table statistics Number of rows Number of blocks Average row length Column statistics Number of distinct values (NDV) in a column Number of nulls in a column Data distribution (histogram) Extended statistics Index statistics Number of leaf blocks Number of levels Index clustering factor System statistics I/O performance and utilization cpu performance and utilization As shown in Figure 10-1,the database stores optimizer statistics for tables,columns,indexes,and the system in the data dictionary. You can access these statistics using data dictionary views.