I woud sujest this .. This gives you the result wanted in less time. query optimized and tested. with a.temp (j_date,cnt) as ( select join_date,count(*) as c1 from a.emp_table group by join_date ) select j_date from a.temp where cnt= (select max(cnt) from a.temp) concepts used ... GROUP BY , Temporary table 1. The query <b>select join_date,count(*) as c1 from a.emp_table group by join_date </b> gives u .. join date , Count of employees joined for the date 2. Thse records are taken as a temp table. <b> select j_date from a.temp where cnt= (select max(cnt) from a.temp)</b> -> give the date with max count of joining.. Simple and the optimal query which can give u the best result ;-) check if any more query issues ... http://c1deal.blog.co.in/ Regards, Krishna ,DBA

I woud sujest this .. This gives you the result wanted in less time. query optimized and tested. with a.temp (j_date,cnt) as ( select join_date,count(*) as c1 from a.emp_table group by join_date ) select j_date from a.temp where cnt= (select max(cnt) from a.temp) concepts used ... GROUP BY , Temporary table 1. The query <b>select join_date,count(*) as c1 from a.emp_table group by join_date </b> gives u .. join date , Count of employees joined for the date 2. Thse records are taken as a temp table. <b> select j_date from a.temp where cnt= (select max(cnt) from a.temp)</b> -> give the date with max count of joining.. Simple and the optimal query which can give u the best result ;-) check if any more query issues ... http://c1deal.blog.co.in/ Regards, Krishna ,DBA