Abstract: A method for facilitating the navigation of data generated using an analytic application. In particular, a method of creating and using a query chain to access data is described. The user designates some data field as being of particular interest. A list of further query chains for the user to choose from is shown. The user can select one of these query chains to further navigate the database, modify one of the query chains listed, or can create a new query chain by further navigating the database. The selections made by the user while further navigating the database are recorded and linked into a query chain, which can be stored for later use. Accordingly, user access to a field of particular interest is facilitated, and information of particular interest can be accessed in a timely manner.

Abstract: A method of optimizing ranking queries in analytic applications. The method involves dividing a ranking query constructed by a user into multiple sub-commands. These sub-commands are based on the relationship between the foreign key and ranking attributes of a table of data and are run as a batch of commands. As usable data is extracted from each sub-command, it is stored and the foreign key is used as a filter for the next query in the batch. This eliminates accessing irrelevant data and facilitates the query operation. The extracted data is joined as the last step of the process in order to minimize the number of join operations performed by the query while the batch is being executed, thereby facilitating the query process.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the navigation of data generated using an analytic application. In particular, a method of creating and using a query chain to access data is described. The user designates some data field as being of particular interest. A list of further query chains for the user to choose from is shown. The user can select one of these query chains to further navigate the database, modify one of the query chains listed, or can create a new query chain by further navigating the database. The selections made by the user while further navigating the database are recorded and linked into a query chain, which can be stored for later use. Accordingly, user access to a field of particular interest is facilitated, and information of particular interest can be accessed in a timely manner.