I never use dbms_utility.analyze_database or dbms_stats.gather_database_stats. Every time Ihave my server has run like a complete dog. If I've subsequently deleted the stats from the SYS schema (using dbms_stats) all has been fine. I would suggest changing your nightly script to run dbms_utility.analyze_schema or dbms_stats.gather_schema_stats for all relevant schemas.

You should consider switching to dbms_stats since this is the current Oracle recommendation.

Since Oracle claim they will get rid of the RBO in future releases analysing the SYS schema should become possible without problems in the near future.

Cheers

PS. Just seen marist89's note. I'll have to give it a go on some 8.1.7.4 instances and see. I've already seen some problems on a 9.0.1 instance, but not tried on 9.2 yet.

[Edited by TimHall on 08-28-2002 at 08:35 AM]