Method and apparatus for generating dynamic and hybrid sparse indices for workfiles used in SQL queries
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of performing a query in a computer-implemented database management system, comprising:
- (a) probing a sparse index to determine a starting location of a next search of a key value in the query, wherein the sparse index stores entries containing key values indicating only an approximate location of data records stored in an associated file and is comprised of a static part that is created during a merge phase of file creation;
(b) returning an entry from the sparse index without performing the next search when the entry matches the key value; and
(c) performing the next search using a closest starting entry from the sparse index when no entry in the sparse index matches the key value.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating static, dynamic and hybrid sparse indices for use with workfiles used by SQL queries in a relational database management system.
74 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method of performing a query in a computer-implemented database management system, comprising:
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(a) probing a sparse index to determine a starting location of a next search of a key value in the query, wherein the sparse index stores entries containing key values indicating only an approximate location of data records stored in an associated file and is comprised of a static part that is created during a merge phase of file creation; (b) returning an entry from the sparse index without performing the next search when the entry matches the key value; and (c) performing the next search using a closest starting entry from the sparse index when no entry in the sparse index matches the key value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for performing a query in a computer-implemented database management system, comprising:
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(a) means, performed by a computer, for probing a sparse index to determine a starting location of a next search of a key value in the query, wherein the sparse index stores entries containing key values indicating only an approximate location of data records stored in an associated file and is comprised of a static part that is created during a merge phase of file creation; (b) means, performed by a computer, for returning an entry from the sparse index without performing the next search when the entry matches the key value; and (c) means, performed by a computer, for performing the next search using a closest starting entry from the sparse index when no entry in the sparse index matches the key value. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A program storage device readable by a computer, tangibly embodying one or more instructions executed by the computer to perform a query a computer-implemented database management system, the method comprising:
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(a) probing a sparse index to determine a starting location of a next search of a key value in the query, wherein the sparse index stores entries containing key values indicating only an approximate location of data records stored in an associated file and is comprised of a static part that is created during a merge phase of file creation; (b) returning an entry from the sparse index without performing the next search when the entry matches the key value; and (c) performing the next search using a closest starting entry from the sparse index when no entry in the sparse index matches the key value. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A data structure for use by a query performed by a database management system, comprising a hybrid sparse index stored in an electronic memory, wherein the hybrid sparse index stores entries containing key values indicating only an approximate location of data records stored in an associated file and is comprised of:
- (1) a static part that is built during a merge phase of file creation and is never changed, and (2) a dynamic part that is created during a search phase of file access.
- View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
Specification