US6108653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for fast and comprehensive DBMS analysis
Assignee: CA Inc
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Filing: 1998-08-31
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Granted: 2000-08-22
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Expires: 2018-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A fast and comprehensive analysis of a database table is peformed by reading a header block describing the location of blocks storing data information of a database table. The data blocks of the database table are read using direct asynchronous IO into memory. Data read in from the data blocks is analyzed to determine information regarding the health or condition of the database table. The analysis is performed by spawning separate processes, each process being assigned an approximately equivalent number of data blocks to analyze. Once each process completes analysis of the assigned data blocks, the analysis by each thread is summarized and averaged to provide information to the DBA relating to the condition of the database table. The information gathered regarding the database table is more comprehensive than that provided by currently available database management systems and tools.
Inventors
- 👤 Hilton M. Pereira
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/21; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99937; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of determining a condition of a database, comprising the steps of: identifying a database table; determining elements corresponding to the condition of the database table based on data contained in the database table; and providing said elements to one of a display for viewing by a user, a storage location, and a mechanism for using said elements; wherein said elements include at least one of number of simple rows, number of migrated rows, number of deleted rows, number of blocks initialized but empty, average free space in a block unused, average free released free space, average row length of migrated rows, average row length of chained rows, number of blocks to be read for normal, chained, and migrated rows, measure of density of blocks used, number of blocks exceeding a percentage used threshold, number of blocks less a percentage free threshold, number of chained rows spanning data files, and min max average of chained rows spanning blocks.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of determining a condition of a database, comprising the steps of: identifying a database table; determining elements corresponding to the condition of the database table based on data contained in the database table; and providing said elements to one of a display for viewing by a user, a storage location, and a mechanism for using said elements; wherein said elements include at least one of number of simple rows, number of migrated rows, number of deleted rows, number of blocks initialized but empty, average free space in a block unused, average free released free space, average row length of migrated rows, average row length of chained rows, number of blocks to be read for normal, chained, and migrated rows, measure of density of blocks used, number of blocks exceeding a percentage used threshold, number of blocks less a percentage free threshold, number of chained rows spanning data files, and min max average of chained rows spanning blocks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of repeating said steps of identifying, determining, and providing for each of plural database tables.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of identifying comprises the steps of: finding a location of an extent segment header block for the database table; reading the extent segment header block; and creating an extent list identifying each extent of the database table based on the segment header block.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of determining comprises the steps of: gathering data related to said elements from each of data blocks identified in each extent contained in the extent list; and determining said elements via an analysis of the data gathered.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of creating includes the step of identifying a file number, block number, and length for each extent of the database table.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of determining comprises the steps of: dividing the extent list into at least two sublists each containing a number of data blocks; spawning a thread for working each of said sublists; gathering information related to said elements by each thread and respective sublist; and performing analysis including summation and averaging of the information gathered by each thread and respective sublist.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of dividing comprises: dividing the extent list into at least two sublists each containing an equal number of data blocks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of gathering includes the steps of: reading each of data blocks identified in each sublist using direct asynchronous I/O; and examining the contents of each data block to determine information related to each of said elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of repeating said steps of identifying and determining for each of plural database tables.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer readable medium having computer instructions stored thereon that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of: identifying a database table; determining elements corresponding to the condition of the database table based on data contained in the database table; and providing said elements to one of a display for viewing by a user, a storage location, and a mechanism for using said elements; wherein said elements include at least one of number of simple rows, number of migrated rows, number of deleted rows, number of blocks initialized but empty, average free space in a block unused, average free released free space, average row length of migrated rows, average row length of chained rows, number of blocks to be read for normal, chained, and migrated rows, measure of density of blocks used, number of blocks exceeding a percentage used threshold, number of blocks less a percentage free threshold, number of chained rows spanning data files, and min max average of chained rows spanning blocks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer readable medium having computer instructions stored thereon that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of: identifying a database table; determining elements corresponding to the condition of the database table based on data contained in the database table; and providing said elements to one of a display for viewing by a user, a storage location, and a mechanism for using said elements; wherein said elements include at least one of number of simple rows, number of migrated rows, number of deleted rows, number of blocks initialized but empty, average free space in a block unused, average free released free space, average row length of migrated rows, average row length of chained rows, number of blocks to be read for normal, chained, and migrated rows, measure of density of blocks used, number of blocks exceeding a percentage used threshold, number of blocks less a percentage free threshold, number of chained rows spanning data files, and min max average of chained rows spanning blocks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer readable medium according to claim 10, wherein said computer instructions further cause the computer to perform the step of: repeating said steps of identifying, determining, and providing for each of plural database tables.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer readable medium according to claim 10, wherein said step of identifying comprises the steps of: finding a location of an extent segment header block for the database table; reading the extent segment header block; and creating an extent list identifying each extent of the database table based on the segment header block.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said step of determining comprises the steps of: gathering data related to said elements from each of data blocks identified in each extent contained in the extent list; and determining said elements via an analysis of the data gathered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said step of creating includes the step of identifying a file number, block number, and length for each extent of the database table.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
The computer readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said step of determining comprises the steps of: dividing the extent list into at least two sublists each containing a number of data blocks; spawning a thread for working each of said sublists; gathering information related to said elements by each thread and respective sublist; and performing analysis including summation and averaging of the information gathered by each thread and respective sublist.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein said step of dividing comprises: dividing the extent list into at least two sublists each containing an equal number of data blocks.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein said step of gathering includes the steps of: reading each of data blocks identified in each sublist using direct asynchronous I/O; and examining the contents of each data block to determine information related to each of said elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer readable medium according to claim 17, wherein said computer instructions further cause the computer to perform the step of: repeating said steps of identifying and determining for each of plural database tables.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for determining a condition of a database, comprising: means for identifying a database table; means for determining elements corresponding to the condition of the database table based on data contained in the database table; and means for providing said elements to one of a display for viewing by a user, a storage location, and a mechanism for using said elements; wherein said elements include at least one of number of simple rows, number of migrated rows, number of deleted rows, number of blocks initialized but empty, average free space in a block unused, average free released free space, average row length of migrated rows, average row length of chained rows, number of blocks to be read for normal, chained, and migrated rows, measure of density of blocks used, number of blocks exceeding a percentage used threshold, number of blocks less a percentage free threshold, number of chained rows spanning data files, and min max average of chained rows spanning blocks.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for determining a condition of a database, comprising: means for identifying a database table; means for determining elements corresponding to the condition of the database table based on data contained in the database table; and means for providing said elements to one of a display for viewing by a user, a storage location, and a mechanism for using said elements; wherein said elements include at least one of number of simple rows, number of migrated rows, number of deleted rows, number of blocks initialized but empty, average free space in a block unused, average free released free space, average row length of migrated rows, average row length of chained rows, number of blocks to be read for normal, chained, and migrated rows, measure of density of blocks used, number of blocks exceeding a percentage used threshold, number of blocks less a percentage free threshold, number of chained rows spanning data files, and min max average of chained rows spanning blocks.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said means for identifying comprises: means for finding a location of an extent segment header block for the database table; means for reading the extent segment header block; and means for creating an extent list identifying each extent of the database table based on the segment header block.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said means for determining comprises: means for dividing the extent list into at least two sublists each containing a number of data blocks; means for spawning a thread for working each of said sublists; means for gathering information related to said elements by each thread and respective sublist; and means for performing analysis including summation and averaging of the information gathered by each thread and respective sublist.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said means for gathering includes: means for reading each of data blocks identified in each sublist using direct asynchronous I/O; and means for examining the contents of each data block to determine information related to each of said elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said means for determining comprises: means for gathering data related to said elements from each of data blocks identified in each extent contained in the extent list; and means for determining said elements via an analysis of the data gathered.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for determining a condition as of a database, comprising: an identifying device configured to identify a database table; a determining device configured to determine elements corresponding to the condition of the database table based on data contained in the database table; and a mechanism for using said elements; wherein said elements include at least one of number of simple rows, number of migrated rows, number of deleted rows, number of blocks initialized but empty, average free space in a block unused, average free released free space, average row length of migrated rows, average row length of chained rows, number of blocks to be read for normal, chained, and migrated rows, measure of density of blocks used, number of blocks exceeding a percentage used threshold, number of blocks less a percentage free threshold, number of chained rows spanning data files, and min max average of chained rows spanning blocks.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for determining a condition as of a database, comprising: an identifying device configured to identify a database table; a determining device configured to determine elements corresponding to the condition of the database table based on data contained in the database table; and a mechanism for using said elements; wherein said elements include at least one of number of simple rows, number of migrated rows, number of deleted rows, number of blocks initialized but empty, average free space in a block unused, average free released free space, average row length of migrated rows, average row length of chained rows, number of blocks to be read for normal, chained, and migrated rows, measure of density of blocks used, number of blocks exceeding a percentage used threshold, number of blocks less a percentage free threshold, number of chained rows spanning data files, and min max average of chained rows spanning blocks.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said identifying device comprises: a locator configured to locate an extent segment header block for the database table; a read mechanism configured to read the extent segment header block; and a list mechanism configured to create an extent list identifying each extent of the database table based on the segment header block.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method according to claim 24, wherein said determining device comprises: a divider configured to divide the extent list into at least two sublists each containing a number of data blocks; a process spawner configured to a thread for working each of said sublists; an information gatherer configured to information related to said elements by each thread and respective sublist; and an analyzer configured to perform an analysis including summation and averaging of the information gathered by each thread and respective sublist.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 26, wherein said information gatherer comprises: a reader configured to read each of data blocks identified in each sublist using direct asynchronous I/O; and an examiner configured to examine the contents of each data block to determine information related to each of said elements.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-22 | 2004-02-21 | 2004-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-22 | 2008-02-21 | 2008-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-22 | 2012-02-21 | 2012-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |