Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for storing, within a database system, metadata that indicates an intended usage (IU). Once created, an IU may be assigned to a column to (a) indicate how the column is intended to be used, and (b) affect how the database server behaves when database operations involve values from the column. The IU assigned to a column supplements, but does not replace, the datatype definition for the column. Each IU may have an IU-bundle. The IU-bundle of an IU indicates how the database server behaves with respect to any column that is assigned the IU. For example, the IU-bundle may indicate constraints that the database server must validate during operations on values from columns assigned to the IU. Techniques are also described for implementing multi-column IUs and flexible IUs.

Abstract: Techniques described herein allow a user of an RDBMS to specify a graph algorithm function (GAF) declaration, which defines a graph algorithm that takes a graph object as input and returns a logical graph object as output. A database dictionary stores the GAF declaration, which allows addition of GAFs without changing the RDBMS kernel. GAFs are used within graph queries to compute output properties of property graph objects. Output properties are accessible in the enclosing graph pattern matching query, and are live for the duration of the query cursor execution. According to various embodiments, the declaration of a GAF includes a DESCRIBE function, used for semantic analysis of the GAF, and an EXECUTE function, which defines the operations performed by the GAF. Furthermore, composition of GAFs in a graph query is done by supplying, as the input graph argument of an outer GAF, the result of an inner GAF.

Abstract: Techniques described herein allow a user of an RDBMS to specify a graph algorithm function (GAF) that takes a graph object as input and returns a logical graph object as output. GAFs are used within graph queries to compute temporary and output properties (“GAF-computed properties”), which are live for the duration of the query cursor execution. GAF-computed output properties are accessible in the enclosing graph pattern matching query as though they were part of the input graph object of the GAF. Temporary cursor-duration tables are generated for the query cursor during compilation of a graph query that includes a GAF, and are used to store the GAF-computed properties. Each temporary table corresponds to one of the primary tables of the input graph, and includes, as a foreign key, primary key information from the corresponding primary table. Thus, the input graph of a GAF may be a “heterogeneous” graph.

Abstract: Techniques described herein allow a user of an RDBMS to specify a graph algorithm function (GAF) declaration, which defines a graph algorithm that takes a graph object as input and returns a logical graph object as output. A database dictionary stores the GAF declaration, which allows addition of GAFs without changing the RDBMS kernel. GAFs are used within graph queries to compute output properties of property graph objects. Output properties are accessible in the enclosing graph pattern matching query, and are live for the duration of the query cursor execution. According to various embodiments, the declaration of a GAF includes a DESCRIBE function, used for semantic analysis of the GAF, and an EXECUTE function, which defines the operations performed by the GAF. Furthermore, composition of GAFs in a graph query is done by supplying, as the input graph argument of an outer GAF, the result of an inner GAF.

Abstract: Techniques are presented herein for efficient query processing and data change propagation at a secondary database system. The techniques involve determining execution costs for executing a query at a primary DBMS and for executing the query at an offload DBMS. The cost for executing the query at the offload DBMS includes the cost of propagating changes to database objects required by the query to the offload DBMS. Based on the execution cost, the query is sent to either the primary DBMS or the offload DBMS.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for bitmap-based computation of a COUNT(DISTINCT) function, where the bitmaps are generated based on ranks of target expression values. According to an embodiment, the ranks are computed using the DENSE_RANK function. The bitmaps may be maintained in a materialized view. Bitmap data that represents the ranks for target expression values occurring in data for a given group is divided across multiple bucket bitmaps, each corresponding to a distinct sub-range of the ranks. According to an embodiment, target expression value ranks are computed relative to partitions of the target expression values. When these partitions correspond to a subset (not necessarily strict) of the target query grouping keys for a query rewrite, the resulting bitmaps allow computation of multiple levels of aggregation from the single set of bitmaps.

Abstract: Techniques are described for storing and maintaining, in a materialized view, bitmap data that represents a bitmap of each possible distinct value of an expression and rewriting a query for a count of distinct values of the expression using the materialized view. The materialized view contains bitmap data that represents a bitmap of each possible distinct value of a first expression, and aggregate values of additional expressions, and is stored in memory or on disk by a database system. The database system receives a query that requests a number of distinct values, of the first expression, and an aggregate value for an additional expression. In response, the database system, rewrites the query to: compute the number of distinct values by counting the bits in the bitmap data of the materialized view that are set to the first value, and obtains the aggregate value for the additional expression in the materialized view.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a group and aggregate query on a relation are disclosed. A database system determines whether assistance of a heterogeneous system (HS) of compute nodes is beneficial in performing the query. Assuming that the relation has been partitioned and loaded into the HS, the database system determines, in a compile phase, whether the HS has the functional capabilities to assist, and whether the cost and benefit favor performing the operation with the assistance of the HS. If the cost and benefit favor using the assistance of the HS, then the system enters the execution phase. The database system starts, in the execution phase, an optimal number of parallel processes to produce and consume the results from the compute nodes of the HS. After any needed transaction consistency checks, the results of the query are returned by the database system.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for bitmap-based computation of a COUNT(DISTINCT) function, where the bitmaps are generated based on ranks of target expression values. According to an embodiment, the ranks are computed using the DENSE_RANK function. The bitmaps may be maintained in a materialized view. Bitmap data that represents the ranks for target expression values occurring in data for a given group is divided across multiple bucket bitmaps, each corresponding to a distinct sub-range of the ranks. According to an embodiment, target expression value ranks are computed relative to partitions of the target expression values. When these partitions correspond to a subset (not necessarily strict) of the target query grouping keys for a query rewrite, the resulting bitmaps allow computation of multiple levels of aggregation from the single set of bitmaps.

Abstract: Techniques related to a sparse dictionary tree are disclosed. In some embodiments, computing device(s) execute instructions, which are stored on non-transitory storage media, for performing a method. The method comprises storing an encoding dictionary as a token-ordered tree comprising a first node and a second node, which are adjacent nodes. The token-ordered tree maps ordered tokens to ordered codes. The ordered tokens include a first token and a second token. The ordered codes include a first code and a second code, which are non-consecutive codes. The first node maps the first token to the first code. The second node maps the second token to the second code. The encoding dictionary is updated based on inserting a third node between the first node and the second node. The third node maps a third token to a third code that is greater than the first code and less than the second code.

Abstract: Techniques are described for storing and maintaining, in a materialized view, bitmap data that represents a bitmap of each possible distinct value of an expression and rewriting a query for a count of distinct values of the expression using the materialized view. The materialized view contains bitmap data that represents a bitmap of each possible distinct value of a first expression, and aggregate values of additional expressions, and is stored in memory or on disk by a database system. The database system receives a query that requests a number of distinct values, of the first expression, and an aggregate value for an additional expression. In response, the database system, rewrites the query to: compute the number of distinct values by counting the bits in the bitmap data of the materialized view that are set to the first value, and obtains the aggregate value for the additional expression in the materialized view.

Abstract: Techniques related to distributed relational dictionaries are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more non-transitory storage media store a sequence of instructions which, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of a method. The method involves generating, by a query optimizer at a distributed database system (DDS), a query execution plan (QEP) for generating a code dictionary and a column of encoded database data. The QEP specifies a sequence of operations for generating the code dictionary. The code dictionary is a database table. The method further involves receiving, at the DDS, a column of unencoded database data from a data source that is external to the DDS. The DDS generates the code dictionary according to the QEP. Furthermore, based on joining the column of unencoded database data with the code dictionary, the DDS generates the column of encoded database data according to the QEP.

Abstract: Techniques are described for efficient query processing and data change propagation to a secondary database system. The secondary database system may execute queries received at a primary database system. Database changes made at the primary system are copied to the secondary system. The primary system receives a query to be executed on either the primary system or the secondary system. The primary system determines whether to send the query to the secondary system based upon whether data objects stored within the secondary system have pending changes that need to be applied to the data objects. The pending changes are stored within in-memory journals within the primary system. The primary system scans for the pending changes to the data objects and sends the pending changes to the secondary system. The secondary system then receives and applies the pending changes to the data objects within the secondary system. Upon applying the pending changes, the secondary system executes the query.

Abstract: Techniques are described to evaluate an operation from an execution plan of a query to offload the operation to another database management system for less costly execution. In an embodiment, the execution plan is determined based on characteristics of the database management system that received the query for execution. One or more operations in the execution plan are then evaluated for offloading to another heterogeneous database management system. In a related embodiment, the offloading cost for each operation may also include communication cost between the database management systems. The operations that are estimated to be less costly to execute on the other database management system are then identified for offloading to the other database management system. In an alternative embodiment, the database management system generates permutations of execution plans for the same query, and similarly evaluates each permutation of the execution plans for offloading its one or more operations.

Abstract: Techniques related to distributed relational dictionaries are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more non-transitory storage media store a sequence of instructions which, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of a method. The method involves generating, by a query optimizer at a distributed database system (DDS), a query execution plan (QEP) for generating a code dictionary and a column of encoded database data. The QEP specifies a sequence of operations for generating the code dictionary. The code dictionary is a database table. The method further involves receiving, at the DDS, a column of unencoded database data from a data source that is external to the DDS. The DDS generates the code dictionary according to the QEP. Furthermore, based on joining the column of unencoded database data with the code dictionary, the DDS generates the column of encoded database data according to the QEP.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a group and aggregate query on a relation are disclosed. A database system determines whether assistance of a heterogeneous system (HS) of compute nodes is beneficial in performing the query. Assuming that the relation has been partitioned and loaded into the HS, the database system determines, in a compile phase, whether the HS has the functional capabilities to assist, and whether the cost and benefit favor performing the operation with the assistance of the HS. If the cost and benefit favor using the assistance of the HS, then the system enters the execution phase. The database system starts, in the execution phase, an optimal number of parallel processes to produce and consume the results from the compute nodes of the HS. After any needed transaction consistency checks, the results of the query are returned by the database system.

Abstract: Techniques related to a sparse dictionary tree are disclosed. In some embodiments, computing device(s) execute instructions, which are stored on non-transitory storage media, for performing a method. The method comprises storing an encoding dictionary as a token-ordered tree comprising a first node and a second node, which are adjacent nodes. The token-ordered tree maps ordered tokens to ordered codes. The ordered tokens include a first token and a second token. The ordered codes include a first code and a second code, which are non-consecutive codes. The first node maps the first token to the first code. The second node maps the second token to the second code. The encoding dictionary is updated based on inserting a third node between the first node and the second node. The third node maps a third token to a third code that is greater than the first code and less than the second code.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a group and aggregate query on a relation are disclosed. A database system determines whether assistance of a heterogeneous system (HS) of compute nodes is beneficial in performing the query. Assuming that the relation has been partitioned and loaded into the HS, the database system determines, in a compile phase, whether the HS has the functional capabilities to assist, and whether the cost and benefit favor performing the operation with the assistance of the HS. If the cost and benefit favor using the assistance of the HS, then the system enters the execution phase. The database system starts, in the execution phase, an optimal number of parallel processes to produce and consume the results from the compute nodes of the HS. After any needed transaction consistency checks, the results of the query are returned by the database system.

Abstract: Techniques are described for efficient query processing and data change propagation to a secondary database system. The secondary database system may execute queries received at a primary database system. Database changes made at the primary system are copied to the secondary system. The primary system receives a query to be executed on either the primary system or the secondary system. The primary system determines whether to send the query to the secondary system based upon whether data objects stored within the secondary system have pending changes that need to be applied to the data objects. The pending changes are stored within in-memory journals within the primary system. The primary system scans for the pending changes to the data objects and sends the pending changes to the secondary system. The secondary system then receives and applies the pending changes to the data objects within the secondary system. Upon applying the pending changes, the secondary system executes the query.

Abstract: Techniques are presented herein for efficient query processing and data change propagation at a secondary database system. The techniques involve determining execution costs for executing a query at a primary DBMS and for executing the query at an offload DBMS. The cost for executing the query at the offload DBMS includes the cost of propagating changes to database objects required by the query to the offload DBMS. Based on the execution cost, the query is sent to either the primary DBMS or the offload DBMS.