Abstract: A relational database method and apparatus includes a database that is divided into multiple data segments, each of which may be independently stored on one of a variety of storage devices. As data from the relational database is being loaded, the number of data segments will increase. A range index is used as a high level filter to determine which indices and data segments will be used to process a query of the database.

Abstract: A relational database method and apparatus includes a database that is divided into multiple data segments, each of which may be independently stored on one of a variety of storage devices. As data from the relational database is being loaded, the number of data segments will increase. A range index is used as a high level filter to determine which indices and data segments will be used to process a query of the database.

Abstract: A method of dynamically managing the storage of information in a mass memory of a data processor is described. The mass memory includes a plurality of volumes of write-once media such as optical discs. The method involves grouping the volumes into volume sets, which each contain at least one file set, and dynamically increasing the size of the file sets and volume sets as needed during file storage. Update areas are set aside for each file set for modifications to the original data originally written into that file set. Allocation of storage to allow time-efficient access of files is accomplished by examining storage media characteristics, limits on file set size, and sizes of the data to be written into the file sets. Timers are set to indicate when volumes contain obsolete data and can be removed, when no additional data should be written onto volumes which are not obsolete, and when a volume should be flipped over so the other surface can be filled.