Hi, we tried several versions of a query which give the same results, but the one takes 5 secs for the first time and 0.9 secs when i execute the query few moments later, while the other takes ~3 secs always. How can this be? And how can it be that the second query which is in fact simpler than the first takes longer? Query 1: (5 secs vs 0.9 secs) select distinct personen_id from produktgruppen where produktgruppen.produktgruppen_id in ( select distinct gruppen_produkte.produktgruppen_id from r_gruppen_produkte where r_gruppen_produkte.gruppen_id = gruppen.gruppen_id // this and the next cond are removed in 2nd query and gruppen.parent_id=1 and r_gruppen_produkte.gruppen_id = r_personen_bereiche.g_id and r_personen_bereiche.p_id = 1234 ) Query 2: (3 secs) select distinct personen_id from produktgruppen where produktgruppen.produktgruppen_id in ( select distinct gruppen_produkte.produktgruppen_id from r_gruppen_produkte where r_gruppen_produkte.gruppen_id = r_personen_bereiche.g_id and r_personen_bereiche.p_id = 1234 ) Our system is Linux 2.2.16, gcc 2.95.2, Postgres 7.0.3 on a Pentium II 450, 128 megs Thanks Markus Bertheau Cenes Data GmbH Berlin ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 2: you can get off all lists at once with the unregister command (send "unregister YourEmailAddressHere" to [EMAIL PROTECTED])