Using overlapping partitions of data for query optimization
US6014656A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99938
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for executing queries on a set of data that has been partitioned into a plurality of partitions based on a partitioning key is provided. A query is received that includes a reference to a second key. The second key is not part of the partitioning key but has a predetermined correlation with the partitioning key. This second key is referred to as an overlapping partition key. A subset of the plurality of partitions is selected to be scanned based on the reference to the second key and the predetermined correlation with the partitioning key. The query is then executed by scanning only those partitions of the plurality of partitions that belong to the subset of partitions. The overlapping partition key provides for reduced query execution time even when the partitioning key is not directly involved in the query. Specifically, the overlapping partition key permits a partial table scan in situations that would require a fill table scan with partitioning alone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.