Indexing - Using functions in the WHERE Clause

Using a function on an indexed column in the WHERE clause will force the optimizer to bypass the desired index (does not apply to function-based indexes).
Common functions used in the WHERE clause are TRUNC, SUBSTR, TO_DATE, TO_CHAR, and INSTR.
The one I am guilty of is using TRUNC on a date column, as in (assuming there is an index on insert_date):

WHERE TRUNC(insert_date) = TRUNC(sysdate);
instead use something like:
WHERE insert_date >= TRUNC(sysdate) and insert_date <>
By taking the function TRUNC off of the indexed column, insert_date, the index on insert_date will be used.

Example:
SQL> set timing on

On our first run the data has not been cached and it take 5 seconds.
SQL> select count(last_updated) "Total" from barcodes where trunc(last_updated) > trunc(sysdate-60);

Total
-------------------
2114
Elapsed: 00:00:05.10

Same SQL but the data now in cache it takes 2.5 seconds.
SQL> select count(last_updated) "Total" from barcodes where trunc(last_updated) > trunc(sysdate-60);

Total
-------------------
2114
Elapsed: 00:00:02.53

Rewrite query to use the index on last_updated and the query takes 0.0 seconds.
SQL> select count(last_updated) "Total" from barcodes where last_updated > trunc(sysdate)-60 and last_updated <>

Total
-------------------
2114
Elapsed: 00:00:00.00

You can't always assume you will use an index just becuase it is available.