Deleting records using timestamp as condition

Question

Hi,
I have a database where I would like to delete all records in two tables if they are older than 90 days.
The thing is that this database is really large and the following statement takes forever to run.
So, my question is - can the following be done more efficient?
DELETE *
FROM CART, CARTITEM
WHERE
EXTRACT( DAY FROM (systimestamp-CART.LASTMODIFIED) ) > 30
AND CART.CARTID = CARTITEM.CARTID;
Hope you guys have some thoughts! =)
/Paul

Answer 1

If deleting takes a while and since you ar eonly intetested in maintaing records for last 90 days why not take the last 90 days record and insert into a temp table and truncate the base table and then re-isnert the records by disabling any triggers.
ie.
create table temp
as select * from FROM CART
WHERE
CART.LASTMODIFIED = sysdate -90 -- need to do the date formatting here i am just writing a pseudocode
AND CART.CARTID in (select cartitem.cartid from CARTITEM )
temp table will ahv elast 90 days date
truncate table cart
disable trigger
insert into cart select * from temp
commit
enable any disabled triggers
Is this not an easier option.