Since this question asks you about your opinion on the most direct way to collect statistics on a database table, your answer should reflect your expertise and experience performing this task. It is very likely that you follow generally accepted, agreed-upon methodologies. Your answer should reflect what the interviewer is expecting. However, this also provides you the opportunity to demonstrate your innovation by describing something recently developed or which is being adopted as a new standard for the industry. Regardless of how you answer the question, you should be prepared for a follow-up question asking you to discuss your rationale for using the method you described in your answer.

"The most direct way to collect statistics on a database table is to use an init parameter to designate one of two methods used to collect the statistics. These are compute and estimate. The format of the init parameter is 'analyze table emp compute statistics' or 'analyze table emp estimate statistics'."