Re: "select count(*) from contacts" is too slow!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, nolan@celery.tssi.com wrote:
>> MySQL can tell you from it's index because it doesn't care if it gives you the
>> right number or not.
>
> Under what circumstances would MySQL give the wrong number?  

It would give the wrong number under _every_ circumstance where there
are uncommitted INSERTs or DELETEs.
-- 
select 'cbbrowne' || '@' || 'ntlug.org';
http://www3.sympatico.ca/cbbrowne/sap.html
Appendium to  the Rules  of the  Evil Overlord #1:  "I will  not build
excessively integrated  security-and-HVAC systems. They  may be Really
Cool, but are far too vulnerable to breakdowns."