Originally posted by dbbyleo
Is that true????!!! When init.ora's OPTIMIZER_MODE=RULE, bitmap indexes are not used, and therefore would require a hint to use the index. Is this what you are saying?
Yes, exactly. With OPTIMIZER_MODE=RULE the only way for the bitmap index to be used is to provide a hint in your query. Without a hint (which in effect activates cost based optimizer instead of RBO), RBO will not even know about your bitmap index.