http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_OracleAutotrace.htm Oracle autotrace supports the following options: • autotrace on – Enables all options. • autotrace on explain – Displays returned rows and the explain plan. • autotrace on statistics – Displays returned rows and statistics. • autotrace trace explain – Displays the execution plan for a select statement without actually executing it. "set autotrace trace explain" • autotrace traceonly – Displays execution plan and statistics without displaying the returned rows. This option should be used when a large result set is expected.