Dynamically selecting alternative query access plans

Abstract

There are disclosed improved methods, systems, and computer program products for enhancing query optimization. More particularly, it relates to dynamically selecting alternative query access plans.

1 . Apparatus comprising: 
 one or more processors;    a memory coupled to at least the one processor;    a query optimizer residing in the memory and operable for defining a query access plan; and,    a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus comprising: 
 one or more processors;    a memory coupled to at least the one processor;    a query optimizer residing in the memory and operable for defining a query access plan; and,    a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan, and in response to at least a parameter value of the alternative query access plan exceeding a parameter value of the first query access plan, whereby the alternative query access plan is improved over the first query access plan.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus recited in  claim 2 , wherein the manager dynamically adds computer resources for running the dynamically selected alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3 , wherein the additional computer resources are provided by one or more additional partitions in a logically partitioned environment.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3 , wherein the additional computer resources are provided by additional computer resources from a networked computer grid environment.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3  wherein the manager adds additional computer resources based on determining the cost for usage of the additional computer resources.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus recited in  claim 2  wherein the manager gathers statistics of computing resources including additional computer resources if available for determining the alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         8 . A computer-implemented method in a system having at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor, a query optimizer residing in the memory and operable for defining a query access plan; and, a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method in a system having at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor, a query optimizer residing in the memory and operable for defining a query access plan; and, a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan, and in response to at least a parameter value of the alternative query access plan exceeding a parameter value of the first query access plan, whereby the alternative query access plan is improved over the first query access plan.  
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 9 , further comprising having the manager dynamically add computer resources for running the dynamically selected alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 10 , wherein the additional computer resources are provided by one or more additional partitions in a logically partitioned environment.  
     
     
         12 . The method recited in  claim 10 , wherein the additional computer resources are provided by a networked computer grid environment.  
     
     
         13 . The method recited in  claim 10 , wherein the additional computer resources are added based on determining the cost for usage.  
     
     
         14 . The method recited in  claim 10  wherein the manager gathers statistics of computing resources including additional computer resources if available for determining the alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         15 . A program product for use in a computer implemented process comprising: 
 a manager residing in a memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan; and,    a computer readable signal bearing media bearing the scheduling manager.    
     
     
         16 . A program product for use in a computer implemented process comprising: 
 a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan, and in response to at least a parameter value of the alternative query access plan exceeding a parameter value of the first query access plan, whereby the alternative query access plan is improved over the first query access plan; and,    a computer readable signal bearing media bearing the scheduling manager.    
     
     
         17 . The program product of  claim 16  wherein the manager dynamically adds computer resources for running the dynamically selected alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         18 . The program product of  claim 17  wherein the manager dynamically adds the computer resources based on determining the cost for usage for the additional computer resources.  
     
     
         19 . The program product of  claim 17  wherein the manager gathers statistics of computing resources including additional computer resources if available for determining the alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         20 . A networked environment, comprising: 
 a grid of computing resources;    a request manager of the grid to receive requests of one or more customers for utilization of computing resources of the grid;    one or more computer systems of a customer coupled to the request manager; the one computer system comprising one or more processors;    a memory coupled to at least the one processor of the one computer system; and,    a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan, and in response to at least a parameter value of the alternative query access plan exceeding a parameter value of the first query access plan, whereby the alternative query access plan is improved over the first query access plan.    
     
     
         21 . The environment of  claim 20  wherein the manager dynamically adds computer resources for running the dynamically selected alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         22 . The environment of  claim 21  wherein the manager dynamically adds the computer resources based on determining the cost for usage for the additional computer resources.  
     
     
         23 . The environment of  claim 20  wherein the manager gathers statistics of computing resources including additional computer resources if available for determining the alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         24 . A computer-implemented method for use in a networked environment including a grid of computing resources, and a request manager of the grid to receive requests of one or more customers for utilization of computing resources of the grid; wherein one or more computer systems of a customer is coupled to the request manager and include one or more processors; a memory coupled to at least the one processor; an optimizer and, a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan, and in response to at least a parameter value of the alternative query access plan exceeding a parameter value of the first query access plan, whereby the alternative query access plan is improved over the first query access plan.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the manager dynamically adds computer resources for running the dynamically selected alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the manager dynamically adds the computer resources based on determining the cost for usage for the additional computer resources.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the manager gathers statistics of computing resources including additional computer resources if available for determining the alternative query access plan.  
     
     
         28 . A method of providing fee-based processing in a processor system, whereby fees are based on additional computer resources being added for enabling provision of alternative query access plans, the processor system including at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor, a query optimizer residing in the memory and operable for defining a query access plan; and, a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan, and in response to at least a parameter value of the alternative query access plan exceeding a parameter value of the first query access plan, whereby the alternative query access plan is improved over the first query access plan; wherein the manager dynamically adds the computer resources for running the dynamically selected alternative query access plan; and, wherein the manager dynamically adds the computer resources based on determining the cost for usage for the additional computer resources.  
     
     
         29 . A computer program product for fee-based processing for in use in a computer-implemented process whereby fees are based on additional computer resources being added for enabling provision of alternative query access plans, the computer program product comprising: a medium readable by a computer and having computer program adapted for providing a manager residing in the memory and executable by the at least one processor for evaluating a first query access plan for dynamically selecting an alternative query access plan based on additional computer resources being available to run the alternative query access plan, and in response to at least a parameter value of the alternative query access plan exceeding a parameter value of the first query access plan, whereby the alternative query access plan is improved over the first query access plan; wherein the manager dynamically adds the computer resources for running the dynamically selected alternative query access plan; and, wherein the manager dynamically adds the computer resources based on determining the cost for usage for the additional computer resources.