Hi Guys, This isn't a PostgreSQL specific question but just a SQL question. If this is not an appropriate question for this list, please let me know. It is also, perhaps, a really silly question. This query (without the 'explain' keyword) , when executed takes forever and a day: > condor_development=> explain select id from filesets where id not in ( select fileset_id from service_pack_fileset_maps ); > QUERY PLAN > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Seq Scan on filesets (cost=0.00..71937742.00 rows=26088 width=4) > Filter: (NOT (SubPlan 1)) > SubPlan 1 > -> Materialize (cost=0.00..2517.78 rows=95852 width=4) > -> Seq Scan on service_pack_fileset_maps (cost=0.00..1663.52 rows=95852 width=4) > (5 rows) This query returns within a second: > condor_development=> explain select id from filesets where id not in ( select distinct fileset_id from service_pack_fileset_maps ); > QUERY PLAN > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Seq Scan on filesets (cost=2102.31..3153.53 rows=26088 width=4) > Filter: (NOT (hashed SubPlan 1)) > SubPlan 1 > -> HashAggregate (cost=1903.15..2062.48 rows=15933 width=4) > -> Seq Scan on service_pack_fileset_maps (cost=0.00..1663.52 rows=95852 width=4) > (5 rows) The difference is the "distinct" keyword in the inner select. What I'm confused about is why isn't the "distinct" implicit? I thought the construct "blah in ( select ... )" was using "sets" and an item (I thought) can not be in a set more than once. Perhaps my question is the opposite really? Why would you not always use "distinct" in the inner select when the operator is "in" or "not in" ? And if I can throw in another question on top: is there a different method other than "not in" that would work better? Thank you guys for the help and a really awesome database. pedz (this is *suppose* to be sent as plain text... I hope my mailer does what it is told) -- Sent via pgsql-general mailing list (pgsql-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx) To make changes to your subscription: http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general
