Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for dynamically adjusting computer resources, as appropriate, in response to predictions of query runtimes as well as for rendering costs of the computer resources actually utilized, which costs are consistent with consumer demands.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for processing aggregation queries that are executed against a database and, more particularly, for managing aggregation data structures associated with tables of a database. One embodiment provides a method for managing creation of aggregation data structures for tables of a database.

Abstract: A database engine and optimizer framework support creation of a series of profiling indices over a column having character string data, such as a traditional “varchar” data type. The profiling indices result in a reduction of the number of records that are searched when searching for a sub-string match within that column. In some embodiments, the series of indices are created over a column that is typically searched using the LIKE predicate or some similar technique; these indices indicate for each record whether certain sub-strings may exist in that record's value in the column. Thus, the indices are used to find the rows that may match one or more portions of the particular term being queried or, in other words, eliminate those records that do not have at least a portion of the term to be matched. The number of records actually retrieved and searched for the query sub-string is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment replace an element in a query with a backup if the element is not available, but the backup is available. An element may also be removed from the query if the element is not required. In various embodiments, the element may be a table or a user-defined function. In this way, the query may still execute even if the element is not available.

Abstract: A dynamic range constraint is defined that has one or more limits that are computed from data residing in the database. In a first embodiment, a dynamic range constraint is defined for a database column that includes at least one limit that is computed from data within that column. In a second embodiment, a dynamic range constraint is defined for a database column that includes at least one limit that is computed from data in a different database column. The limits may be computed using any suitable heuristic or criteria, including statistical analysis of the data in the database. In this manner a range constraint for a column may evolve automatically as the data in the database changes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment determine whether a block of code associated with a copy-and-paste operation or a punch-out operation has a size greater than a threshold. If the size is greater than the threshold, then a method is created and the block of code is pasted into the method. Also, an invocation to the newly created method is added at the copied-from location and the intended pasted-to location (in the case of the copy-and-paste operation) or an invocation to the newly created method is added at the copied-from location (in the case of the punch-out operation). In this way, future modifications to the block of code need only be made in one place: the method, instead of at all locations where duplicate code exists. Thus, embodiments of the invention may reduce the fragility of the code.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment track a history of statements that query data from a database. When a new statement is received, the history is searched for a correlation between the new statement and previous statements. The correlation is based on host variables in the history and the new statement. When a correlation is found, a prediction is made for the next statement to be received based on the previous statement in the history for which the correlation was found. The prediction is then used to retrieve pages from the database into a cache, which may be used by a subsequent statement.

Abstract: Multiple database queries are satisfied with the same data in a manner that assures the data is current and without having to interrogate the database for each query. In a first embodiment, all queries that are received during the processing of a first query are evaluated to determine whether the result set returned for the first query will satisfy the queries received during processing of the first query. If so, the result set returned for the first query is used to generate result sets for the subsequent compatible queries received during the processing of the first query. In a second embodiment, queries are delayed and grouped, and a new query is then processed for each group that returns a result set that satisfies all of the queries in the group. In both cases, the result set for one query is used to generate a result set for a different query.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide inter-job breakpoints by defining a condition for a first job and an action for a second job. When the condition in the first job is satisfied, the action in the second job is performed. The condition in the first job can be the start of execution of a specified portion of code in the first job, the end of execution of a specified portion of code in the first job, or the satisfying of some other condition(s) in the first job. The action in the second job can be the halting of the second job or the enabling of a breakpoint in the second job. Inter-job breakpoints greatly enhance the utility of a debugger by performing an action in one job based on a detected condition in a different job.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for improving the efficiency of executing a query are provided. Queries frequently issued in a primary processing environment (e.g., a primary logical partition) may be run in a background processing environment (e.g., a background logical partition) with different access plans to determine the access plan that results in the least execution time. For some embodiments, in an effort to avoid executing queries that may have an adverse system-wide impact, selected queries may be analyzed in the background processing environment prior to being executed. This analysis may be performed to ensure the execution time of the query will not exceed a specified threshold, and/or will not result in excessive contention when executed in the primary processing environment.

Abstract: Methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for providing access to a grid computing environment. In one environment, requests include resource specific criteria used to identify a particular grid resource to perform the request. In another embodiment, a request includes a queue criterion used to identify one of a plurality of queues on which the request is placed.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture for query execution management in a data processing system and, more particularly, for optimizing execution of queries that are repeatedly executed against one or more databases in a data processing system. One embodiment provides a method for optimizing execution of a query that is repeatedly issued from an issuing entity against a database. The method comprises executing the query against the database to obtain an initial query result, returning the initial query result to the issuing entity, and managing re-execution of the query.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and program product for analyzing a digital image for consumer identifying characteristics, and generating advertisements specifically to the consumer based on the identifying characteristics of the digital image. The analysis of the digital image may involve object recognition, text recognition and/or metadata analysis of a selected digital image. The present invention may be implemented, for example, within a photo kiosk or digital minilab. The generated advertisements may utilize a variety of media, including on-screen displays on the photo kiosk, a customized coupon, or a photo jacket insert.