Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach to access the contents of database file system. The contents of the database file system can be acquired and stored in a directory buffer. A parallel tree structure is used to retrieve directory contents quickly and in a consistent fashion.

Abstract: A computer program product, system, and computer implemented method for rapid database restoration using a database restore and recovery process that leverages one or more sparse data files and/or blocks by restoring one or more sparse data files and/or blocks and providing a mechanism to redirect requests to the one or more sparse data files and/or blocks to a backup copy of the actual data files and/or blocks and a process to populate the one or more sparse data files and/or blocks while the database is operational for servicing user requests. The approach includes the creation and population of one or more sparse data files and/or blocks, a redirection mechanism to service read operations where necessary, and a process to restore the data to one or more sparse data files and/or blocks over time, while the database maintains operability.