US6493699B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Defining and characterizing an analysis space for precomputed views
Assignee: Workday Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-25
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Granted: 2002-12-10
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Expires: 2019-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database are described. In accordance with one aspect, a user database query on precomputation strategy effectiveness is responded to by defining, based upon user database query history, an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database, and by characterizing the views in the analysis space. In accordance with a second aspect, a structure is imposed on an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database based upon the capabilities of a query rewriting facility, and the views in the analysis space are characterized. In accordance with a third aspect, an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database is defined, and a cost formula is applied to the analysis space based upon a user-defined subset of the data contained in the database. In accordance with a fourth aspect, an analysis space that includes a candidate view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views is defined, and the views in the analysis space are characterized.
Inventors
- 👤 Latha S. Colby
- 👤 Richard L. Cole
- 👤 Edward P Haslam
- 👤 Nasi Jazayeri
- 👤 Galt Johnson
- 👤 William J. McKenna
- 👤 David G. Wilhite, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/245; G06F16/2453; G06F16/24534; G06F16/24539; G06F16/22; G06F16/2455; G06F16/24553; G06F16/24554; G06F16/24556; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 95
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of managing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising: defining an analysis space that includes any combination of existing and potential precomputed views for the database; keeping a history of queries on the database; performing a cost-benefit analysis of the existing and potential precomputed views in the analysis space, the analysis being based at least in part on the history of queries on the database; and presenting a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of managing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising: defining an analysis space that includes any combination of existing and potential precomputed views for the database; keeping a history of queries on the database; performing a cost-benefit analysis of the existing and potential precomputed views in the analysis space, the analysis being based at least in part on the history of queries on the database; and presenting a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein keeping a history of queries on the database includes generating a log record of queries on the database.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein keeping a history of queries on the database includes parsing query blocks of queries on the database.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein keeping a history of queries on the database includes determining whether a query on the database was rewritten to include a precomputed view.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising: when a query was rewritten to include a precomputed view, keeping information about the precomputed view included in the rewritten query.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein keeping a history of queries on the database includes determining whether rewritten queries include aggregation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein keeping a history of queries on the database includes identifying a potential precomputed view which could have been used to rewrite a query on the database.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising: keeping information about the potential precomputed view.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the analysis space is defined based upon capabilities of a query rewriting facility.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the definition of the analysis space reflects whether or not queries have been rewritten.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the definition of the analysis space reflects whether or not rewritten queries include aggregation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the defined analysis space includes potential and existing precomputed views.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the defined analysis space includes potential precomputed views generated based upon user query history.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space comprises generating a measure of precomputed view utilization.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space includes generating a measure of benefit of a precomputed view relative to other precomputed views in the analysis space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space includes generating a measure of benefit of one that is a potential precomputed view.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space comprises generating a report that reflects current precomputation strategy effectiveness.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space comprises generating a report that includes information about potential precomputed views that could be created.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space comprises applying a cost formula to the analysis space.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining hierarchical relationships between possible views in the analysis space; and performing the cost-benefit analysis based on the hierarchical relationships.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein defining is based upon user database query history.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of managing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising: defining an analysis space that includes one or more precomputed views for the database, the one or more precomputed views including a potential precomputed view; determining hierarchical relationships of the one or more precomputed views in the analysis space; performing a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space based on the hierarchical relationships; and presenting a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of managing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising: defining an analysis space that includes one or more precomputed views for the database, the one or more precomputed views including a potential precomputed view; determining hierarchical relationships of the one or more precomputed views in the analysis space; performing a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space based on the hierarchical relationships; and presenting a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein determining hierarchical relationships is based upon meta data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein determining hierarchical relationships is based upon capabilities of a query rewriting facility.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of managing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising: defining an analysis space that includes a potential precomputed view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views; performing a cost-benefit analysis of the potential precomputed view in the analysis space; and presenting a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of managing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising: defining an analysis space that includes a potential precomputed view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views; performing a cost-benefit analysis of the potential precomputed view in the analysis space; and presenting a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein at least one of the constituent views of the potential precomputed view is another potential precomputed view.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein at least one of the constituent views of the potential precomputed view is an existing precomputed view.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the defined analysis space includes the constituent views of the potential precomputed view.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the defined analysis space does not include the constituent views of the potential precomputed view.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database, comprising: a query processor; and an advisor configured to describe precomputation strategy effectiveness by defining an analysis space that includes any combination of existing and potential precomputed views for the database, keeping a history of queries processed by the query processor, and performing a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space, the analysis based at least in part on the history of queries, and presenting a result of the cost- benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database, comprising: a query processor; and an advisor configured to describe precomputation strategy effectiveness by defining an analysis space that includes any combination of existing and potential precomputed views for the database, keeping a history of queries processed by the query processor, and performing a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space, the analysis based at least in part on the history of queries, and presenting a result of the cost- benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein keeping a history of queries processed by the query processor includes generating a log record of received queries.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the log record of received queries includes information about a precomputed view included in a rewritten query.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the log record of received queries includes information about a potential precomputed view which could have been used to rewrite the query.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein keeping a history of queries processed by the query processor includes parsing query blocks of queries processed by the query processor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein keeping a history of queries processed by the query processor includes determining whether a query was rewritten to include a precomputed view.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein keeping a history of queries processed by the query processor includes determining whether a rewritten query includes aggregation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein keeping a history of queries processed by the query processor includes identifying a potential precomputed view which could have been used to rewrite a query processed by the query processor.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the analysis space is defined based upon capabilities of a query rewriting facility.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the definition of the analysis space reflects whether or not queries processed by the query processor have been rewritten.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the definition of the analysis space reflects whether or not rewritten queries include aggregation.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the analysis space is defined based upon meta data.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the defined analysis space includes potential precomputed views generated based upon the history of queries processed by the query processor.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space includes generating a measure of precomputed view utilization.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space includes generating a measure of benefit of a precomputed view relative to other precomputed views in the analysis space.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein presenting the result of the cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space comprises generating a report that reflects current precomputation strategy effectiveness.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space includes generating a report that includes information about a potential precomputed view which could have been used to rewrite the query.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein performing a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space includes applying a cost formula to the analysis space.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the advisor is further configured to describe precomputation strategy effectiveness by: determining hierarchical relationships of the one or more precomputed views in the analysis space; and performing the cost-benefit analysis based at least in part on the hierarchical relationships.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database, comprising: a query processor; and an advisor configured to define an analysis space that includes one or more precomputed views for the database, the one or more precomputed views including a potential precomputed view, determine hierarchical relationships of the precomputed views in an analysis space, and perform a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space based at least in part on the hierarchical relationships, and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database, comprising: a query processor; and an advisor configured to define an analysis space that includes one or more precomputed views for the database, the one or more precomputed views including a potential precomputed view, determine hierarchical relationships of the precomputed views in an analysis space, and perform a cost-benefit analysis of the precomputed views in the analysis space based at least in part on the hierarchical relationships, and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 49 , wherein the hierarchical relationships are determined based upon meta data.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 49 , wherein the hiearchical relationships are determined based upon capabilities of a query rewriting facility.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database, comprising: a query processor; and an advisor configured to define an analysis space that includes a potential precomputed view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views, perform a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space, and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database, comprising: a query processor; and an advisor configured to define an analysis space that includes a potential precomputed view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views, perform a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space, and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein at least one of the constituent views of the potential precomputed view is a potential precomputed view.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein at least one of the constituent views of the potential precomputed view is another potential precomputed view.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the defined analysis space includes the constituent views of the potential precomputed view.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the defined analysis space does not include the constituent views of the potential precomputed view.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for processing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: define an analysis space that includes any combination of possible views for the database, perform a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space; and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for processing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: define an analysis space that includes any combination of possible views for the database, perform a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space; and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein the analysis space is defined based upon capabilities of a query rewriting facility.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product of claim 58 , wherein the definition of the analysis space reflects whether or not received queries have been rewritten.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product of claim 58 , wherein the definition of the analysis space reflects whether or not rewritten queries include aggregation.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein the analysis space is defined based upon meta data.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein the defined analysis space includes precomputed views.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein the defined analysis space includes potential precomputed views generated based upon query history.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein instructions to perform a cost-benefit analysis comprise instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to generate a measure of precomputed view utilization.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein instructions to perform a cost-benefit analysis comprise instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to generate a measure of benefit of a precomputed view relative to other views in the analysis space.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein instructions to perform a cost-benefit analysis comprise instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to generate a report that reflects current precomputation strategy effectiveness.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein instructions to perform a cost-benefit analysis comprise instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to generate a report that includes information about candidate views that could be created.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein instructions to perform a cost-benefit analysis comprise instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to generate a measure of benefit of a potential precomputed view relative to other views in the analysis space.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein instructions to perform a cost-benefit analysis comprise instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to apply a cost formula to the analysis space.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , further comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: determine hierarchical relationships between the possible views in the analysis space; and perform the cost-benefit analysis based on the hierarchical relationships.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer program product of claim 57 , wherein the analysis space is defined based upon database query history.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program product of claim 70 , wherein the instructions to define an analysis space comprise instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to generate a log record for received queries.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program product of claim 72 , wherein the instructions to generate a log record comprise instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to parse query blocks from queries.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer program product of claim 72 , wherein instructions to generate a log record for a user query comprises instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to determine whether the query was rewritten to include a precomputed view.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer program product of claim 72 , wherein instructions to generate a log record comprises instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to determine whether rewritten user queries include aggregation.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer program product of claim 72 , wherein instructions to generate a log record comprises instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to identify a potential precomputed view which could have been used to rewrite the received queries.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of claim 72 , wherein the log record generated for a query comprises information about a precomputed view used to rewrite the query.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program product of claim 72 , wherein the log record generated for a user query comprises information about a potential precomputed view which could have been used to rewrite the received query.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for processing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: determine hierarchical relationships between or among views in an analysis space that includes any combination of potential precomputed of potential precomputed views for the database; perform a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space based on the hierarchiacal relationships; and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and to create a set of potential precomputed views for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for processing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: determine hierarchical relationships between or among views in an analysis space that includes any combination of potential precomputed of potential precomputed views for the database; perform a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space based on the hierarchiacal relationships; and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and to create a set of potential precomputed views for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product of claim 79 , wherein the hierarchical relationships are determined based upon meta data.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product of claim 79 , wherein the hierarchical relationships are determined based upon capabilities of a query rewriting facility.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for processing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: define an analysis space that includes a potential precomputed view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views; and perform a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space; and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for processing precomputed views for answering queries on a database, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: define an analysis space that includes a potential precomputed view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views; and perform a cost-benefit analysis of the views in the analysis space; and present a result of the cost-benefit analysis to determine a set of existing precomputed views to retain and a set of potential precomputed views to create for use in responding to future queries.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer program product of claim 82 , wherein at least one of the constituent views of the potential precomputed view is another potential precomputed view.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 82 , wherein at least one of the constituent views of the potential precomputed view is a precomputed view.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product of claim 82 , wherein the defined analysis space includes the constituent views of the potential precomputed view.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product of claim 82 , wherein the defined analysis space does not include the constituent views of the potential precomputed view.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-09 | 2006-06-10 | 2006-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-09 | 2010-06-10 | 2010-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-09 | 2014-06-10 | 2014-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |