Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
450 words
A method for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the insertion of an index entry into a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: A) determining if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; B) if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table, then rejecting the insertion; and C) if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is not already present in the second index table, then performing the steps of: 1) inserting the index entry into the second index table; 2) determining if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is already present in the first index table, and 3) if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is already present, performing the steps of: i) deleting the inserted second index entry from the second index table; and ii) rejecting the insertion; 4) determining if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is present in the first index table, and, 5) if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is not present, then inserting, into the first index table, i) a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value; and ii) a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
450 words
A method for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the insertion of an index entry into a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: A) determining if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; B) if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table, then rejecting the insertion; and C) if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is not already present in the second index table, then performing the steps of: 1) inserting the index entry into the second index table; 2) determining if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is already present in the first index table, and 3) if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is already present, performing the steps of: i) deleting the inserted second index entry from the second index table; and ii) rejecting the insertion; 4) determining if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is present in the first index table, and, 5) if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is not present, then inserting, into the first index table, i) a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value; and ii) a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
294 words
A method for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the deletion of an index entry in a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: a) determining if the second index key value in an index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; and b) if the second index key value is not already present, then performing the steps of: 1) deleting the index entry from the second index table; and 2) deleting from the first index table the first index entry relating to the second index key value and the second index identifier.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
294 words
A method for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the deletion of an index entry in a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: a) determining if the second index key value in an index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; and b) if the second index key value is not already present, then performing the steps of: 1) deleting the index entry from the second index table; and 2) deleting from the first index table the first index entry relating to the second index key value and the second index identifier.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
309 words
A method for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the insertion of an index entry into a non-unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: a) determining if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; and b) if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is not already present, then: 1) inserting the index entry into the second index table; and 2) inserting into the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
309 words
A method for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the insertion of an index entry into a non-unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: a) determining if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; and b) if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is not already present, then: 1) inserting the index entry into the second index table; and 2) inserting into the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
304 words
A method for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the deletion of an index entry into a non-unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: a) deleting the index entry from the second index table; b) determining if the second index key value in the index entry deleted is still present in the second index table; and c) if the second index key value in the index entry deleted is not present any longer, then deleting from the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
304 words
A method for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the deletion of an index entry into a non-unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: a) deleting the index entry from the second index table; b) determining if the second index key value in the index entry deleted is still present in the second index table; and c) if the second index key value in the index entry deleted is not present any longer, then deleting from the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for generating a multi-tiered indexing structure for a partitioned database of objects, the database including a plurality of partitions, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: a) creating a respective second index table for each respective one of the partitions of the database wherein the second index table contains at least one second index entry for each object of interest in the respective partition of the database, the second index entry comprising: 1) an object identifier identifying an object in the respective partition; and 2) a second index key value which relates to the identified object; and b) creating a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each distinct second index key value in each of the respective second index tables, each of the first index entries comprising: 1) a second index identifier which identifies a second index table; and 2) a first index key value which relates to a second index key value in the identified second index table.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for generating a multi-tiered indexing structure for a partitioned database of objects, the database including a plurality of partitions, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: a) creating a respective second index table for each respective one of the partitions of the database wherein the second index table contains at least one second index entry for each object of interest in the respective partition of the database, the second index entry comprising: 1) an object identifier identifying an object in the respective partition; and 2) a second index key value which relates to the identified object; and b) creating a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each distinct second index key value in each of the respective second index tables, each of the first index entries comprising: 1) a second index identifier which identifies a second index table; and 2) a first index key value which relates to a second index key value in the identified second index table.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
208 words
A computer program product, for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects, the database system including a plurality of partitions, for generating a multi-tiered indexing on structure, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to create a respective second index table for each respective one of the partitions of the database, wherein the second index table contains at least one second index entry for each object in the respective partition of the database, the second index entry comprising: i) an object identifier identifying an object in the respective partition; and ii) a second index key value which relates to the identified object; and c) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to create a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each distinct second index key value in each of the respective second index tables, the first index entry comprising: i) a second index identifier which identifies a second index table; and ii) a first index key value which relates to a second index key value in the identified second index table.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
208 words
A computer program product, for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects, the database system including a plurality of partitions, for generating a multi-tiered indexing on structure, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to create a respective second index table for each respective one of the partitions of the database, wherein the second index table contains at least one second index entry for each object in the respective partition of the database, the second index entry comprising: i) an object identifier identifying an object in the respective partition; and ii) a second index key value which relates to the identified object; and c) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to create a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each distinct second index key value in each of the respective second index tables, the first index entry comprising: i) a second index identifier which identifies a second index table; and ii) a first index key value which relates to a second index key value in the identified second index table.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
507 words
A computer program product for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the insertion of an index entry into a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to determine if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; c) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to reject the insertion, the means for directing to reject being operable if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present; and d) means, recorded on the magnetic recording medium and operable if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is not already present in the second index table, for instructing said computer system: i) to insert the index entry into the second index table; ii) to determine if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is already present in the first index table, iii) if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is already present, to delete the inserted second index entry from the second index table, iv) to reject the insertion; v) to determine if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is present in the first index table; and vi) if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is not present, then inserting into the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
507 words
A computer program product for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the insertion of an index entry into a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to determine if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; c) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to reject the insertion, the means for directing to reject being operable if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is already present; and d) means, recorded on the magnetic recording medium and operable if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is not already present in the second index table, for instructing said computer system: i) to insert the index entry into the second index table; ii) to determine if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is already present in the first index table, iii) if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is already present, to delete the inserted second index entry from the second index table, iv) to reject the insertion; v) to determine if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is present in the first index table; and vi) if the first index key value which relates to the second index key value is not present, then inserting into the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
342 words
A computer program product for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the deletion of an index entry in a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to determine if the second index key value in an index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; and c) means, operable if the index entry to be inserted is not already present, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system: i) to delete the index entry from the second index table; and ii) to delete, from the first index table, the first index entry relating to the second index key value and the second index identifier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
342 words
A computer program product for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the deletion of an index entry in a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to determine if the second index key value in an index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; and c) means, operable if the index entry to be inserted is not already present, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system: i) to delete the index entry from the second index table; and ii) to delete, from the first index table, the first index entry relating to the second index key value and the second index identifier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
364 words
A computer program product for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the insertion of an index entry into a non-unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein a first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to determine if the second index key value in an index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; and c) means, operable if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is not already present in the second index table, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system: i) to insert the index entry from the second index table; and ii) to insert into the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
364 words
A computer program product for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the insertion of an index entry into a non-unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein a first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to determine if the second index key value in an index entry to be inserted is already present in the second index table; and c) means, operable if the second index key value in the index entry to be inserted is not already present in the second index table, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system: i) to insert the index entry from the second index table; and ii) to insert into the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier identifying the second index table.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
365 words
A computer program product for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the deletion of an index entry in a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to delete the index entry from the second index table; c) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to determine if the second index key value in the index entry deleted is still present in the second index table; and d) means, operable if the second index key value in the index entry deleted is not present any longer, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to delete from the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier the second index table.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
365 words
A computer program product for use in a partitioned computer database system of objects for maintaining consistency between a second index table and a first index table in a multi-tiered index structure to handle the deletion of an index entry in a unique index, the multi-tiered index structure including a respective second index table of index key values corresponding with each respective partition of a partitioned database and a first index table containing at least one unique first index entry for each index key value in each of the respective second index tables, i) wherein the second index table has a second index identifier and contains second index entries, each of the second index entries having an identifier which identifies an object in the respective database partition corresponding with the second index table, and having a second index key value which relates to the identified object, at least some of the second index key values being distinct, and ii) wherein the first index table has at least one first index entry for each distinct one of the second index key values in each second index table, each of the first index entries having a second index identifier which identifies a second index table, and having a first index key value which relates to one of the second index key values in the identified second index table, the computer program product comprising: a) a magnetic recording medium for retaining a set of computer program instructions; b) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to delete the index entry from the second index table; c) means, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to determine if the second index key value in the index entry deleted is still present in the second index table; and d) means, operable if the second index key value in the index entry deleted is not present any longer, recorded on said magnetic recording medium, for instructing said computer system to delete from the first index table a first index entry having a first index key value relating to the second index key value and a second index identifier the second index table.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
199 words
A partitioned database computer system comprising: a) a processor for processing information within said partitioned database computer system: b) at least two respective data storage devices, the database computer system being configured as at least two respective partitioned database subsystems divided by at least one database partition; c) database management means for reading and updating database information from said at least one database disk; and d) a multi-tiered indexing structure comprising: i) a respective second index table for each respective one of the partitions, each respective one of the index tables having at least one second index entry for each object in the respective one of the partitions, each second index entry comprising: an object identifier identifying an object in the respective partition; and a second index key value which relates to the identified object; and ii) a first index table having at least one unique first index entry for each distinct second index key value in each of the respective second index tables, each first index entry comprising: a second index identifier which identifies a second index table; and a first index key value which relates to a second index key value in the identified second index table.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
199 words
A partitioned database computer system comprising: a) a processor for processing information within said partitioned database computer system: b) at least two respective data storage devices, the database computer system being configured as at least two respective partitioned database subsystems divided by at least one database partition; c) database management means for reading and updating database information from said at least one database disk; and d) a multi-tiered indexing structure comprising: i) a respective second index table for each respective one of the partitions, each respective one of the index tables having at least one second index entry for each object in the respective one of the partitions, each second index entry comprising: an object identifier identifying an object in the respective partition; and a second index key value which relates to the identified object; and ii) a first index table having at least one unique first index entry for each distinct second index key value in each of the respective second index tables, each first index entry comprising: a second index identifier which identifies a second index table; and a first index key value which relates to a second index key value in the identified second index table.