International Business Machines Corporation
Sorting tables in analytical databases

Abstract:

A method for sorting a data table is provided. The method may include providing a plurality of attribute value information for each data block of the data table. The method may also include receiving a query requiring a sorting on the first attribute of the data table. The method may further include determining a plurality of sequences of a plurality of data blocks having disjoint value ranges of the first attribute based on the provided plurality of attribute value information. The method may also include, for each determined sequence of the plurality of data blocks, reading a plurality of data, sorting the read plurality of data from each data block, and concatenating the sorted plurality of data from the plurality of data blocks within the determined sequence, thereby providing a sorted plurality of sequences. The method may further include merging the sorted plurality of sequences.