> Well, I can imagine a few situations right now. But the most important
> argument for making "count()" to work faster, is: because in the most
> popular databases engines it works faster; and, because "count()" works
> faster in other databases engines, programers are using it, even when
> it is crazy to do that.

To hell other DBMSs. If some idiotic programmers used to
amputate tonsils though ass, is it our problem? Do we really should
comply with every perverted request? What can Firebird gain from it?
Nothing! So, why anybody should care about how it is done in other
DBMS?.. Everybody who disagree, can go to MS SQL and f...k/use it in any
way he likes to!

SD.