Reports a summary of the query plan generated by the SQL query optimizer to process any valid SQL request. That is, the steps the system uses to resolve a request. The Optimizer processes an explained request like a request without the EXPLAIN modifier, except that the SQL within the request does not run. However, for a dynamic plan, the request is partially run.
Optionally, you can display the output as XML text instead of plain English text.
For additional information about how to interpret the reports generated by an EXPLAIN request modifier see INSERT EXPLAIN.
ANSI Compliance
EXPLAIN is a Teradata extension to the ANSI SQL:2011 standard.
Other SQL dialects support similar non-ANSI standard statements with names such as EXPLAIN PLAN.
Required Privileges
To EXPLAIN a request, you must have the permissions that are required to run that request.