Abstract: In an embodiment, Partition Change Tracking (PCT) refresh is performed by using join dependencies on partitioning columns to derive and fill in identifiers of rows and/or partitions containing the rows in the refresh expressions. In an embodiment, the join dependencies that form the Materialized View's (MV's) query definition and the partitioning predicate of the table are used to automatically generate a statement which is run in order to derive and fill in identifiers of the rows and/or partitions that are being changed. The identifiers are then plugged into the refresh expression, and the refresh expression is run. Running the refresh expression causes the rows identified to be refreshed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that permit merchants, venue owners, and other entities defined within a location-based system to communicate with users. Additional communication capabilities are provided in a location-based service that permits merchants and other entities to engage users in different ways. One or more advertisers, merchants or other entities may be able to send messages to one or more users. For instance, if a user visits a venue more than a certain number of times in total, visits or “checks-in” to that venue over a period of time, indicates that the user follows or “likes” a particular venue or merchant, or performs some other activity with the location-based network, that merchant may be provided a vehicle for sending messages to those users. Targeted messages may be sent responsive to any information used in the location-based service, including active or passive user activity.

Abstract: In an embodiment, estimated costs are used to pick the best refresh technique (e.g., method) for a given MV. In another embodiment, estimated costs are used to schedule the refresh of a set MVs in an order such that overall time to refresh is reduced, or in an order that uses the smallest overall time, for refreshing when compared to other alternative refresh schedules. In another embodiment, the estimated cost of refreshing each of a set of MVs is used to select the set of CPU resources to allocate to refreshing each MV. Based on the estimated costs, the allocation of CPU resources is chosen to be more optimal (e.g., use less CPU time) than other available sets of CPU resources. In an embodiment, when refreshing an MV, delayed index maintenance is chosen if a significant portion of the base table and/or the partitions of the table has changed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for computing a variance between two business metrics is described. In one embodiment, the method computes a variance for each of a first set of activities based on the corresponding reference state of that activity, wherein the variance for an activity is the change in contribution for that activity between the first and second business metrics and with each of the first set of activities having a reference value. Furthermore, the method computes a variance for each of a second set of activities based on the corresponding start and end values of that activity with each of the second set of activities having a start and end value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for computing a variance for the difference between two business metrics. In one embodiment, the method accesses a response model and a plurality of activities with start and end values for each of the plurality of activities. Furthermore, the method computes a variance for the difference between the first and second business metrics for each of the plurality of activities using the response model by setting that activity to one of the corresponding starting and ending values and setting others of the plurality of activities to the value state opposite of that activity, wherein the variance for an activity is the change in contribution for that activity between the start and end sales volumes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for decomposing a business metric based on a plurality of activities and a response model are described. In one embodiment, the method accesses the response model and the plurality of activities, the plurality of activities each having a reference and executed value. The method computes a contribution to the business metric based on setting one of the plurality of activities to one of the corresponding reference and executed value and setting the other activities to the value state opposite of that activity. Furthermore, the method computes each of the contributions independent of the response model type.

Abstract: In an embodiment, estimated costs are used to pick the best refresh technique (e.g., method) for a given MV. In another embodiment, estimated costs are used to schedule the refresh of a set MVs in an order such that overall time to refresh is reduced, or in an order that uses the smallest overall time, for refreshing when compared to other alternative refresh schedules. In another embodiment, the estimated cost of refreshing each of a set of MVs is used to select the set of CPU resources to allocate to refreshing each MV. Based on the estimated costs, the allocation of CPU resources is chosen to be more optimal (e.g., use less CPU time) than other available sets of CPU resources. In an embodiment, when refreshing an MV, delayed index maintenance is chosen if a significant portion of the base table and/or the partitions of the table has changed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, estimated costs are used to pick the best refresh technique (e.g., method) for a given MV. In another embodiment, estimated costs are used to schedule the refresh of a set MVs in an order such that overall time to refresh is reduced, or in an order that uses the smallest overall time, for refreshing when compared to other alternative refresh schedules. In another embodiment, the estimated cost of refreshing each of a set of MVs is used to select the set of CPU resources to allocate to refreshing each MV. Based on the estimated costs, the allocation of CPU resources is chosen to be more optimal (e.g., use less CPU time) than other available sets of CPU resources. In an embodiment, when refreshing an MV, delayed index maintenance is chosen if a significant portion of the base table and/or the partitions of the table has changed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for computing a variance for the difference between two business metrics. In one embodiment, the method accesses a response model and a plurality of activities with start and end values for each of the plurality of activities. Furthermore, the method computes a variance for the difference between the first and second business metrics for each of the plurality of activities using the response model by setting that activity to one of the corresponding starting and ending values and setting others of the plurality of activities to the value state opposite of that activity, wherein the variance for an activity is the change in contribution for that activity between the start and end sales volumes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for computing an atomic decomposition level and a set of different decomposition levels based on the atomic decomposition level for a business metric are described. In one embodiment, the method accesses a response model and a first plurality of activities that are used to compute an atomic decomposition level. The atomic decomposition level is a base level of the set of different decomposition levels using different pluralities of activities. Furthermore, the set of different decompositions is consistent with the atomic decomposition level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for computing a variance between two business metrics is described. In one embodiment, the method computes a variance for each of a first set of activities based on the corresponding reference state of that activity, wherein the variance for an activity is the change in contribution for that activity between the first and second business metrics and with each of the first set of activities having a reference value. Furthermore, the method computes a variance for each of a second set of activities based on the corresponding start and end values of that activity with each of the second set of activities having a start and end value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for decomposing a business metric based on a plurality of activities and a response model are described. In one embodiment, the method accesses the response model and the plurality of activities, the plurality of activities each having a reference and executed value. The method computes a contribution to the business metric based on setting one of the plurality of activities to one of the corresponding reference and executed value and setting the other activities to the value state opposite of that activity. Furthermore, the method computes each of the contributions independent of the response model type.