Oracle Database Discussions

Hi,

I am trying to understand exactly what gather_database_stats_job_proc does, and how it uses the "gather auto" option.

I've read article :http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14211/stats.htm#sthref1429

The GATHER_DATABASE_STATS_JOB_PROC procedure collects statistics on database objects when the object has no previously gathered statistics or the existing statistics are stale because the underlying object has been modified significantly (more than 10% of the rows).The DBMS_STATS.GATHER_DATABASE_STATS_JOB_PROC is an internal procedure, but its operates in a very similar fashion to the DBMS_STATS.GATHER_DATABASE_STATS procedure using the GATHER AUTO option. The primary difference is that the DBMS_STATS.GATHER_DATABASE_STATS_JOB_PROC procedure prioritizes the database objects that require statistics, so that those objects which most need updated statistics are processed first. This ensures that the most-needed statistics are gathered before the maintenance window closes.

and also Metalink Note:281793.1, but want to be clear on the following:

can we gather stats on indexed columns only? - is this possible?

Many thanks.