Maximizing system resources used to decompress read-only compressed analytic data in a relational database table

Abstract

A method, computer program product and system for minimizing system resources used to decompress read-only compressed analytic data in a relational database table. An i-code list associated with a relational database table is converted into a programming language. The programming language is compiled in object code and stored in a module in the user's system. The object code is called with a pointer designating the particular row in the database containing the compressed data to be decompressed. The compressed data designated by the pointer is decompressed upon execution of the object code. By having the source code for decompressing the compressed data stored as object code in the user's system, the interpretation step (as used in the i-code method) is avoiding thereby reducing the number of machine cycles used to decompress the compressed data. As a result, query programs will be able to access large amounts of data more quickly.

1 . A method for minimizing system resources used to decompress read-only compressed analytic data comprising the steps of:
 generating an i-code list from a control block, wherein said control block stores information regarding compression algorithms used to compress data in said relational database table, wherein said control block further stores parameters used to decompress compressed data in said relational database table;   converting said i-code list associated with said relational database table into a programming language;   compiling said programming language into object code; and   storing said object code in a module stored in an executable library in a user's system enabling said object code to be reused for all subsequent query accesses.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 calling said module with a pointer to a compressed row of data in said relational database table. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2  further comprising the step of:
 decompressing said compressed row of data in said relational database table using said stored object code. 
 
     
     
         4 . A computer program product embodied in a computer readable medium for minimizing system resources used to decompress read-only compressed analytic data comprising the programming steps of:
 generating an i-code list from a control block, wherein said control block stores information regarding compression algorithms used to compress data in said relational database table, wherein said control block further stores parameters used to decompress compressed data in said relational database table;   converting said i-code list associated with said relational database table into a programming language;   compiling said programming language into object code; and   storing said object code in a module stored in an executable library in a user's system enabling said object code to be reused for all subsequent query accesses.   
     
     
         5 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 4  further comprising the programming step of:
 calling said module with a pointer to a compressed row of data in said relational database table. 
 
     
     
         6 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 5  further comprising the programming step of:
 decompressing said compressed row of data in said relational database table using said stored object code. 
 
     
     
         7 . A system, comprising:
 a memory unit for storing a computer program operable for minimizing system resources used to decompress read-only compressed analytic data; and   a processor coupled to said memory unit, wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises:
 circuitry for generating an i-code list from a control block, wherein said control block stores information regarding compression algorithms used to compress data in said relational database table, wherein said control block further stores parameters used to decompress compressed data in said relational database table; 
 circuitry for converting said i-code list associated with said relational database table into a programming language; 
 circuitry for compiling said programming language into object code; and 
 circuitry for storing said object code in a module stored in an executable library in a user's system enabling said object code to be reused for all subsequent query accesses. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said processor further comprises:
 circuitry for calling said module with a pointer to a compressed row of data in said relational database table.   
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said processor further comprises:
 circuitry for decompressing said compressed row of data in said relational database table using said stored object code.   
     
     
         10 - 30 . (canceled)