(with apologies for the title, which I think I can just about get away with and should grab the opportunity to use it whenever I come across someone even older than me )
These two interesting blog postings are well worth your time. Over to you, Noons ...
Part 1 - Default options - GLOBAL AND PARTITION Part 2 - Estimated Global Stats Part 3 - Stats Aggregation Problems I Part 4 - Stats Aggregation Problems II Part 5 - Minimal Stats Aggregation Part 6a - COPY_TABLE_STATS - Intro Part 6b - COPY_TABLE_STATS - Mistakes Part 6c - COPY_TABLE_STATS - Bugs and Patches Part 6d - COPY_TABLE_STATS - A Light-bulb Moment Part 6e - COPY_TABLE_STATS - Bug 10268597
For the avoidance of any doubt, all views expressed here are my own and not those of past or current employers, clients, friends, Oracle Corporation, my Mum or, indeed, Flatcat. If you want to sue someone, I suggest you pick on Tigger, but I hope you have a good lawyer. Frankly, I doubt any of the former agree with my views or would want to be associated with them in any way.