Pick up some other distinct name that you're sure never would be used otherwise.

In any case, why do you need to go with such lengths for the simple count

select count(distinct myField) from myTable into array laCount ?

The only difference here is buffered vs. unbuffered, e.g. the select reads from the table on disk unless you used new with (buffering) option.

>I agree with the the _tally elimination, but if I (or other) will create accidently other 'TempCount' cursor?
>>I added shared and particular alias in the use command and eliminated _tally since you can count to a variable.
>>