Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive requests to execute a plurality of compression and/or decompression mechanisms on one or more database objects; to execute each of the compression and/or decompression mechanisms, on a sampled basis, on the database objects; to determine comparative performance characteristics associated with each of the compression and/or decompression mechanisms; and to record at least some of the performance characteristics and/or derivative characteristics derived from the performance characteristics in a performance summary table. The table may be published to a storage medium or a display screen. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A hierarchical arrangement of nodes is provided to represent Extensible Markup Language (XML) data. In response to a keyword search query containing query keywords, sets of nodes in the hierarchical arrangement are identified for respective query keywords. A smallest of the sets of nodes is identified, and starting with the smallest of the sets of nodes, a stack-based algorithm is applied to identify exclusive lowest common ancestor (ELCA) nodes of the hierarchical arrangement.

Abstract: A data warehouse system and application which analyzes historical sales and product data contained within a data warehouse to determine the best product prices across a set of products for a retailer. The application analyzes historical sales and product data contained in a database to determine an opportunity score for multiple products sold by a retailer, the opportunity score indicating potential benefit to said business from changing the pricing of a product; and analyzes historical sales data contained in the database to determine an ability to change score for each product, the ability to change score indicating potential risk of lost sales for the retailer from changing the pricing of a product. Results of the analyses are displayed in a scatter plot graph with the graph axes being the opportunity scores and ability to change scores, respectively.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus, method, and article of manufacture provide the ability to manage a plurality of database systems. A domain contains a plurality of database systems. A system event monitor, on each of the database systems, monitors the database systems' system conditions and operating environment events within the domain. A multi-system regulator manages the domain, communicates with the system event monitor, and creates a dynamic event on one of the database systems based on the system conditions and operating environment events. The dynamic event causes an adjustment to a state of the database system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus, method, and article of manufacture provide the ability to manage a plurality of database systems. A domain contains the database systems, and a database in one of the systems has segmented global memory partitions. A virtual monitor partition provides logon access to the segmented global memory partitions in a form of a virtual database. Open application programming interfaces (API) enable logon access to the virtual monitor partition to access data in the virtual database. A multi-system regulator manages the domain and utilizes the open APIs to access data in the virtual data base.

Abstract: A method for determining when a database system query optimizer should employ join skew avoidance steps. The method includes dynamically calculating the worst-case anticipated frequency distribution for a particular relation along a particular set of join column(s) at query execution time. The calculated frequency distribution value is compared to a skew threshold, the skew threshold representing the number of rows on the same distinct value that would lead to avoidable processing inefficiencies. It is then determined that the database system query optimizer should employ join skew avoidance steps if the calculated frequency distribution value exceeds the skew threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a complex information process. The system includes an interface for allowing a user to manipulate identifiers indicative of respective information processes to create a user-defined process order; and a processor responsive to the interface for compiling the information processes in accordance with the user-defined process order to define a complex information process. The method includes the steps of manipulating identifiers indicative of respective information processes to create a user-defined process order; and compiling the information processes in accordance with the user-defined process order to define a complex information process.

Abstract: User Defined Functions (UDFs) for a parallel database system are enhanced by making memory persist even when the UDFs terminate. The memory can be shared between different instances of the UDF and the memory can be custom mapped, encrypted, and use custom security.

Abstract: In a database system, a query to perforin an ordered analytic function is received. The query contains a clause specifying creation of dynamic partitions, where the clause contains a partitioning condition to specify the dynamic partitions. During processing of the query, the dynamic partitions are identified based on evaluating the partitioning condition.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and article of manufacture for managing workloads in a computer system, comprising monitoring system conditions and operating environment events that impact on the operation of the computer system, using an n-dimensional state matrix to identify at least one state resulting from the monitored system conditions and operating environment events, and initiating an action in response to the identified state.

Abstract: The subject matter herein relates to database management systems and, more particularly, to decoupled logical and physical data storage within a database management system. Various embodiments provide systems, methods, and software that separate physical storage of data from logical storage of data. These embodiments include a mapping of logical storage to physical storage to allow data to be moved within the physical storage to increase database responsiveness.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method is illustrated to determine multi-column indexes, the method including receiving one or more structured query language (SQL) queries, the one or more SQL queries defining a workload. A database index analysis tool may be used to determine a plurality of index configurations for executing the workload. Further, leading index configurations may be determined, leading index configurations including a subset of the plurality of index configurations. Also, a statistics database may be updated with complete statistics for the leading index configurations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide one or more hardware-friendly data structures that enable efficient hardware acceleration of database operations. In particular, the present invention employs a column-store format for the database. In the database, column-groups are stored with implicit row ids (RIDs) and a RID-to-primary key column having both column-store and row-store benefits via column hopping and a heap structure for adding new data. Fixed-width column compression allow for easy hardware database processing directly on the compressed data. A global database virtual address space is utilized that allows for arithmetic derivation of any physical address of the data regardless of its location. A word compression dictionary with token compare and sort index is also provided to allow for efficient hardware-based searching of text. A tuple reconstruction process is provided as well that allows hardware to reconstruct a row by stitching together data from multiple column groups.

Abstract: A system and method include defining a snapshot join index using a sparse condition in a join index definition. A new sparse condition of the snapshot join index is compared with an old sparse condition. Rows in a base table are identified as a function of the comparing, and the join index table is updated using the identified rows.

Abstract: Tools for defining and using custom analysis modules are presented. A generic graphical user interface (GUI) custom analysis tool is presented to a user. The generic GUI custom analysis tool is adapted to receive selections and inputs from the user that define many-to-many relationships in a data store and that include user-defined measures. The inputs are used to generate an instance of a custom analysis module that is capable of being processed against the data store. The instance of the custom analysis module may be stored, recalled, executed, and/or modified from the generic GUI custom analysis tool.

Abstract: Techniques for asynchronous command processing within a parallel processing environment are provided. A command is raised or received within a parallel processing data warehousing environment. A job or a component of the job is dynamically monitored, controlled, or modified in response to the real-time processing of the command. The job is actively processing within the parallel processing data warehousing environment when the command is received and processed against the job or the component of the job.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for embedding testing and debugging features within a service. A user service is modified to include record and playback features. When a record feature is activated, actions and state transitions, which occur within the user service, are monitored and recorded. These actions and transitions are represented within a script. During playback, the actions and state transitions are automatically replayed within the user service by accessing operations of the user service that are represented or mapped within the script.

Abstract: Techniques for independent column detection in selectivity estimations are provided. Values for database statistics are sampled and two independent tests are performed against the values for a first column and a second column. When each test determines that the first and second columns are independent, the first and second columns are said to be independent columns for selectivity estimation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hardware accelerator that assists a host database system in processing its queries. The hardware accelerator comprises special purpose processing elements that are capable of receiving database query/operation tasks in the form of machine code database instructions, execute them in hardware without software, and return the query/operation result back to the host system. For example, table and column descriptors are embedded in the machine code database instructions. For ease of installation, the hardware accelerators employ a standard interconnect, such as a PCle or HT interconnect. The processing elements implement a novel dataflow design and Inter Macro-Op Communication (IMC) data structures to execute the machine code database instructions. The hardware accelerator may also comprise a relatively large memory to enhance the hardware execution of the query/operation tasks requested.

Abstract: A database system that has a plurality of nodes determines whether each node has a first version of database software. A broadcast message is sent from a first node of the database system to other nodes of the database system. In response to the broadcast message, at least each of at least some of the other nodes starts a software module to perform a task with respect to the database software executable in each node.