Home/ Questions/Q 9313933
In Process

The Archive Base Latest Questions

Editorial Team
  • 0
Asked: 2026-06-19T02:00:18+00:00

I was wondering what is difference between Count(*) and Count(1) for the query optimization.

  • 0

I was wondering what is difference between Count(*) and Count(1) for the query optimization. On researching on it I came across Ask Tom which is for oracle and states that both are identical in terms of time taken for execution.

  1. Is is also applicable to SQL Server 2008?
  2. And if yes then why are there are two diff function for the same?
  3. If no which to use for better optimization?
  4. Are there any cases where should we use Count(*) over Count(1) and vice-a-verse
Share

Leave an answer

You must login to add an answer.

Need An Account,

1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    COUNT (*) is the same as COUNT(1). The reality is that the “*” is actually the default option and it needs not to be specified.The Count(*) includes all the non-NULL values.If you use the column name or any constant in the COUNT function. it will give you NON-NULL values

    • 0