Problem with index not being chosen inside PL/PgSQL function...

Hi all,

Thanks to those on this list who contribute their knowledge for our consumption!  I have another question:

The problem I'm having is in one particular spot where I'm trying to run a "parametized" query inside a PL/PgSQL
function. When I run the query directly, the planner correctly chooses to use an index.  When I run the query with
hard-codedvalues inside the function, the planner uses the index again.  However, when I try to pass in one of the
valuesas a parameter, the query suddenly takes 45+ seconds to run (and is obviously no longer using the query).  Inside
thefunction, I've tried using bound cursors, unbound cursors, and a direct query as shown in the test_unlock function
below.


Here are the details:

EXPLAIN ANALYZE SELECT ah.* FROM alert ah WHERE ( (ah.replaced_by_id = '0') AND (ah.not_displayed_id = '7714598') );

"Index Scan using idx_acurr on alert ah  (cost=0.00..4.44 rows=1 width=768) (actual time=61.100..61.100 rows=0
loops=1)"
"  Index Cond: ((replaced_by_id = 0) AND (not_displayed_id = 7714598))"
"Total runtime: 61.459 ms"


CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION test_unlock ( id_locked alert.id%TYPE ) RETURNS alert.id%TYPE AS $test_unlock$
DECLARE
        last_alert      alert%ROWTYPE;
BEGIN
        RAISE NOTICE 'Fetching data...';
        SELECT ah.* INTO last_alert FROM alert ah where ( (ah.replaced_by_id = '0') AND (ah.not_displayed_id =
id_locked) ); 
        RAISE NOTICE 'Data fetched...';

        IF NOT FOUND THEN
                RAISE NOTICE 'No locked out alert was found!';
        ELSE
                RAISE NOTICE 'Alert id % was found!', last_alert.id;
        END IF;

        RETURN last_alert.id;
END;
$test_unlock$ LANGUAGE plpgsql;

SELECT * FROM test_unlock( '7714598');


Using the function, I get a 45+ second delay between the "fetching" notice and the "fetched" notice.  Is there some way
Ican help the planner out further?  I ever tried adding an 'ORDER BY replaced_by_id, not_displayed_id" to help it
"find"the index, but no luck there... 

Thanks in advance for any help!

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