2ndHelping (9/21/2012)
However, to your other point, SQL Server maintains NO statistics for columns that are not part of any index, unless you create your own custom statistics with the "CREATE STATISTICS" command. Check Books Online, etc. for details.
That's not completely true. If auto create statistics is on, SQL can automatically create statistics on columns that it needs distribution info on. Those stats won't be updated when indexes are rebuild.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability