Get statistics on db objects

I'm using something like:

SELECT COUNT(*) 'Number of System Tables' FROM dbo.sysobjects

WHERE xtype = 's'

to get statistics on database objects but I seem to remember that theres a more efficient way. For example, is there some way to add something like a where clause to the first table returned by sp_help (where Object_type = 'view', for example)?

Thanks,

Dave

SP_TABLES can be used in this csae with parameters for '

Table, system table, or view.'