Abstract: A database engine and optimizer framework includes a decoder to identify and process SQL queries or statements that reference a UDF before they are executed. Once such a statement is detected, the decoder determines if the UDF is capable of being merged into an SQL statement and, if so, performs such a merge. In some embodiments, the decoder may not use a pre-cached version of the UDF but, instead, may include a component that locates and retrieves the latest version of the UDF for use when performing the merge. Also, for UDFs that cannot easily be merged into an SQL statement, the decoder may not merge the UDF into an SQL statement but may allow the optimizer and execution engine to retrieve and execute the UDF in the usual manner.

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 method, system and article of manufacture for query execution management in a data processing system and, more particularly, for managing execution of queries having one or more related query conditions. One embodiment provides a method for managing execution of a query against data of a database. The method comprises receiving a current query against the data of the database, the current query including a plurality of query conditions, for each query condition of the plurality of query conditions, determining whether a previously generated dynamic bitmap index can be re-used for the query condition of the current query, the dynamic bitmap index having been previously generated for a previous query condition associated with a previous query executed against the data of the database; and if the dynamic bitmap index has been generated for the previous query condition, retrieving the dynamic bitmap index, and determining a query result for the current query using all retrieved dynamic bitmap indexes.

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 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: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing enhanced query governor functions. Query execution includes first checking for a timeout value for a query. Responsive to identifying a timeout value for the query, an execution time for the query is reset and a monitor for each timeout value for the query is started. Then the execution of the query is started. The execution of predefined events is monitored during the execution of the query. The predefined events include a begin or end of processing of at least one of a trigger and a user defined function (UDF). Execution status of the query is periodically checked. Responsive to identifying the query is executing, checking for any expired timeout value is performed. The execution of the query is halted responsive to an identified expired timeout value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a method, system and article of manufacture for operating vending machines. In general, a plurality of vending machines are nodes of a network. Each node is configured to send, receive and process signals carrying inventory, pricing, reservation and/or refund information. In particular, a first signal is sent to one or more nodes requesting inventory/price information from other nodes. Those nodes carrying the product may reply with a second signal. In this manner, the location of vending machines carrying one or more items specified by a customer may be determined. In another embodiment, vending machine items may be reserved from a remote location. In still another embodiment, vending machines may be configured to provide refunds under controlled conditions. A consumer may request a refund in cases where the consumer was improperly charged for goods are services that were not provided.

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: Methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for determining a fee to be charged for requests processed in a grid computing environment based. In one embodiment the fee may be determined based on the time it takes to process a request and/or pricing schedules that may vary depending on a variety of pricing criteria. In another embodiment, a completion time criterion that defines a maximum acceptable time to complete a request may be specified. If the amount of time needed to perform the request is less than the maximum acceptable time specified, returning the results may be delayed to avoid providing services valued in excess of what the customer has paid for.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for data processing in data processing systems and, more particularly, for packaging and deploying enterprise information system resources using Java™ archive files. One embodiment for packaging enterprise information system resources using a Java™ archive file comprises bundling the enterprise information system resources, creating a deployment descriptor for the bundled enterprise information system resources, and packaging the bundled enterprise information system resources and the deployment descriptor into the Java™ archive file.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method utilize embedded source identity information within an audio broadcast signal to facilitate the reception of the audio broadcast signal from an alternate source. Such embedded information may be used, for example, to facilitate the automated selection of an alternate source of an audio broadcast signal, e.g., in response to poor reception of the primary source of the audio broadcast signal, so that a listener is less likely to miss any portion of an audio broadcast. In one particular implementation, an audio broadcast signal is a radio signal broadcast by a radio station, whereby suitable alternate sources might include another radio station that broadcasts the audio broadcast signal over a different frequency, a transmission device accessible over a telephone network, or a transmission device accessible over a computer network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A web server computer system includes a virus checker and mechanisms for checking e-mails and their attachments, downloaded files, and web sites for possible viruses. The virus checker allows a web server to perform virus checking of different types of information real-time as the information is requested by a web client. In addition, a web client may also request that the server perform virus checking on a particular drive on the web client. If this case, the web server may receive information from the web client drive, scan the information for viruses, and inform the web client whether any viruses were found. In the alternative, the web server may download a client virus checker to the web client and cause the client virus checker to be run on the web client. The preferred embodiments thus eliminate the need for virus checking software to be installed on each web client.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling visual access by a user to selected broadcast commercial advertisements. A video stream which includes multiple commercial advertisements is broadcast to multiple receivers, each coupled to a video display at a user's location. Unique identifications of each commercial advertisement and an initiation/termination delimiter signal are also embedded within the video stream. Selected commercial advertisements are then stored within memory within each receiver in response to an indication that a particular video stream containing those commercial advertisements is not currently displayed at a user's location. Thereafter, these stored commercial advertisements are substituted for an alternate commercial advertisement within the video stream at a subsequent time in response to an indication that the particular video stream is once again displayed at a user's location, ensuring that the selected commercial advertisements are viewed by a user.