Abstract: A system and associated method load an input data stream into a multi-dimensional clustering (MDC) table or other structure containing data clustered along one or more dimensions, by assembling blocks of data in a partial block cache in which each partial block is associated with a distinct logical cell. A minimum threshold number of partial blocks may be maintained. Partial blocks may be spilled from the partial block cache to make room for new logical cells. Last partial pages of spilled partial blocks may be stored in a partial page cache to limit I/O if the cell associated with a spilled block is encountered later in the input data stream. Buffers may be reassigned from the partial block cache to the partial page cache if the latter is filled. Parallelism may be employed for efficiency during sorting of input data subsets and during storage of blocks to secondary storage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a diagnostic system for a database system. The diagnostic system includes a grouping module for assigning a grouping identifier to each query received by the database system; and a statistics collection module. The statistics collection module includes a query processing statistics module for obtaining processing statistics corresponding to each query; a group statistics compilation module for compiling processing statistics for each query by the query's grouping identifier; and group data storage for storing compiled processing statistics. A method is also disclosed for generating database diagnostic data.

Abstract: A computer system for the indexing of data in which a heuristic determination function is applied to predict an efficient index updating approach. The system is able to update an index relating to a first data set by incrementally updating the index or by a rebuild of the index at the completion of the addition of a second set of data to the first set of data. The system applies a heuristic determination function to the characteristics of the first set of data, its index, and the second set of data, to predict whether an incremental update or a rebuild update of the index will result in a more efficient rebuild of the data. The system applies this approach to a restore and rollforward recovery or a data load operation to improve the efficiency of these operations.

Abstract: A system and method autonomically reallocate memory among buffer pools to permit quick access to data. A simulated buffer pool extension (SBPX) is created for each buffer pool in a set of buffer pools. Data victimized from a buffer pool is represented in the associated SBPX. Requests for data that is not resident in a buffer pool but is represented in the associated SBPX are tallied. Periodically, an expected efficiency benefit of increasing the capacity of each buffer pool is determined from the tallies. Memory is reallocated from the buffer pool with the lowest expected efficiency benefit having remaining reallocatable memory to the buffer pool with the highest expected efficiency benefit having remaining reallocatable memory, until either one or both of the buffer pools exhausts its reallocatable memory.

Abstract: Workload type to be managed by a database management system (DBMS) is a key consideration in tuning the DBMS. Allocations for resources, such as main memory, can be very different depending on whether the workload type is Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) or Decision Support System (DSS). The DBMS also experiences changes in workload type during the normal processing cycle of the DBMS. It would be preferable for the database administrators to recognize the significant shifts of workload type that demand reconfiguring the DBMS to maintain acceptable levels of performance. Disclosed is a workload type classifier module, used by a DBMS, for recognizing workload types so that the DBMS may then manage or adjust its performance and reconfigure its resources accordingly. The classifier may be constructed based on the most significant workload characteristics that differentiate OLTP from DSS. The classifier is then used for identifying changes in workload types contained in a workload.

Abstract: A system and associated method load an input data stream into a multi-dimensional clustering (MDC) table or other structure containing data clustered along one or more dimensions, by assembling blocks of data in a partial block cache in which each partial block is associated with a distinct logical cell. A minimum threshold number of partial blocks may be maintained. Partial blocks may be spilled from the partial block cache to make room for new logical cells. Last partial pages of spilled partial blocks may be stored in a partial page cache to limit I/O if the cell associated with a spilled block is encountered later in the input data stream. Buffers may be reassigned from the partial block cache to the partial page cache if the latter is filled. Parallelism may be employed for efficiency during sorting of input data subsets and during storage of blocks to secondary storage.

Abstract: A system and method autonomically reallocate memory among buffer pools to permit quick access to data. A simulated buffer pool extension (SBPX) is created for each buffer pool in a set of buffer pools. Data victimized from a buffer pool is represented in the associated SBPX. Requests for data that is not resident in a buffer pool but is represented in the associated SBPX are tallied. Periodically, an expected efficiency benefit of increasing the capacity of each buffer pool is determined from the tallies. Memory is reallocated from the buffer pool with the lowest expected efficiency benefit having remaining reallocatable memory to the buffer pool with the highest expected efficiency benefit having remaining reallocatable memory, until either one or both of the buffer pools exhausts its reallocatable memory.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a diagnostic system for a database system. The diagnostic system includes a grouping module for assigning a grouping identifier to each query received by the database system; and a statistics collection module. The statistics collection module includes a query processing statistics module for obtaining processing statistics corresponding to each query; a group statistics compilation module for compiling processing statistics for each query by the query's grouping identifier; and group data storage for storing compiled processing statistics. A method is also disclosed for generating database diagnostic data.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for loading data having a predetermined order of data records from a source into a database using parallel processing. Using one or more reading agents, data records are read from the source in which they are stored. These data records are stored in groups of records. Each group of stored records are tagged with a sequence identifier corresponding to the predetermined order of data. Apparatus is provided for formatting the data records in the groups using a plurality of formatting agents in parallel. The formatted records are stored in formatted record groups. Sequence identifiers are written for each of the groups to the respective formatted record group. A record identification apparatus is provided for assigning page locations for the records using the sequence identifiers to maintain the predetermined order.

Abstract: Laboratory apparatus for performing repetitive tacks includes a table and first and second bearing ways below the table. First and second carriages are mounted on corresponding bearing ways for independent motion therealong, the second carrriage moving in a plane below and parallel to the first carriage. An independently operable transfer device moves objects between the table and a selected carriage or between the carriages, as desired, and apparatus is provided adjacent to the table for performing operations on objects located on the table or on the carriages, the transfer device, and the operating apparatus being capable of repetitive operation.