You can also check LEADING hint (if you insist using them at all ;).
It is less restrictive than ordered, needs less care and to my mind
works great in cases when I need a quick fix and/or haven't time to
investigate details.

Gints Plivna

2006/6/19, A Joshi <ajoshi977@(protected)>:
> Allen,
>   Yes. I am giving /*+ ordered use_nl  in the query.
> I did not type properly in the e-mail below. so it is
>
> /*+ ordered use_nl(a,b,c,d) index(a emp_id) */
>
> Sorry. And thanks for your help.
>
>
--
http://www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l