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Query Freezing - Why?

I am running a query that takes a large volume of information(over 2 million records), and does a lot of counting, sorting and cross-referencing. Understandably, this is taxing on the system and takes a while. When I run query on an old PII-300Mhz running Win98, it waits for about 25 min, that gives a message "This action cannot be carried out at this time". When I run it on a PIV-2.7Ghz running WinXP, it takes about 25-30min and gives me results. Occassionally it will say "ODBC call failed", but it usually works. I can understand why the query runs slower on the PII, but why does it freeze all together. Can someone help me understand what exactly is going on when I run the query between the access interface, querying the Oracle database on the central server and doing all the processing (is that done locally?). Any links to sites that explain this process would be helpful too. Thanks.

Steve Bink

Because you're running it on an old PII-300Mhz with Win98. :)

If you want the Oracle server to run the query, designate it as a pass-through query. This means the remote server takes the uninterpreted SQL for the query, parses it, counts/sorts/cross-references, then returns only a recordset to the calling sub. If you don't tell it to use a pass-through query, you are having the local (calling) system open the entire table, send it over the network, then do all the record-gathering locally. With over 2 million records, that old PII will cough and die, and that's probably on a good day.

SG072297

ASKER

Ok I will try and avoid the PII-300. Do you know of some sites/links that will have some technical details into what happens when a query is excuted. Reason being, in order to avoid the PII-300, I think I will have to make a pitch to management, so I'll need some backup. Thanks.

SG072297

ASKER

In terms of the sites, maybe like a DB primer or something. My knowledge is fairly limited.

Steve Bink

Even with the PII-300, you can still have the Oracle server do the grunt work. It involves a query type called a "pass-through query". It is the equivalent of going to a BK drive-thru instead of staying at home and cooking...hrrmm...must be hungry again. BTW, if the query is taking 25-30 minutes on 2.7ghz box, you should consider changing it to pass-through to begin with. The Oracle server should not take NEARLY as long to get that done.

Unrelated to your problem....

<PERSONAL_RANT>
If your management needs CONVINCING to replace a PII-300, don't approach them about it until you hear the loud pop that signifies their collective heads have been pulled from their collective arses, and you can tell them I said that. As a tech, nothing infuriates me more than some ignorant manager claiming they can't afford a new computer system to replace some broken down heap of slag. I can build an up-to-date office workstation (meaning 1.8ghz CPU w/512m mem) for less than $500 using premium parts, and an upgrade like that pays for itself before the ink on the check dries. Between hours of productivity lost on waiting for the machine to decide to work and the money they will undoubtedly be paying some poor schmuck (read as: the guy they blame when it breaks) to keep it working, they are spending more than that just to hold on to out-dated hardware. Yes, you CAN start a fire with two sticks...that doesn't mean you SHOULD.
</PERSONAL_RANT>

SG072297

ASKER

Do you know how I can change it to a pass-through query? thanks.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Steve Bink

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