Workiva Inc.
Method and computing device for minimizing accesses to data storage in conjunction with maintaining a B-tree

Abstract:

Methods for modifying a B-tree are disclosed. According to an implementation, a computing device receives requests for updates to a B-tree, groups two or more of the requests into a batch that are destined for a particular node on the B-tree, but refrains from modifying the node until a buffer of a node above it is full (or will be full with this batch of requests). Once the buffer is full, the computing device provides the requests to that particular node. The techniques described herein may result in the computing device carrying out fewer of reads from and writes to storage than existing B-tree maintenance techniques, thereby saving time and bandwidth. Reducing the number of reads and writes also saves money, particularly when the storage is controlled by a third party SaaS provider that charges according to the number of transactions.