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 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for minimizing system resources used to decompress read-only compressed analytic data comprising the steps of:
 executing an i-code interpreter to execute an i-code list associated with said relational database table, wherein said i-code list is generated 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, wherein said i-code interpreter is executed to execute said i-code list if there is not a compiled programming code installed on a user's machine, wherein said compiled programming code is converted from said i-code list; and   calling said compiled programming code for each row in said relational database table that needs to be uncompressed.   
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 25  further comprising the step of:
 executing one of said i-code list and said control block if a user of said user's machine requests to execute one of said i-code list and said control block. 
 
     
     
         27 . 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:
 executing an i-code interpreter to execute an i-code list associated with said relational database table, wherein said i-code list is generated 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, wherein said i-code interpreter is executed to execute said i-code list if there is not a compiled programming code installed on a user's machine, wherein said compiled programming code is converted from said i-code list; and   calling said compiled programming code for each row in said relational database table that needs to be uncompressed.   
     
     
         28 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 27  further comprising the programming step of:
 executing one of said i-code list and said control block if a user of said user's machine requests to execute one of said i-code list and said control block. 
 
     
     
         29 . A system, comprising:
 a memory unit 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 executing an i-code interpreter to execute an i-code list associated with said relational database table, wherein said i-code list is generated 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, wherein said i-code interpreter is executed to execute said i-code list if there is not a compiled programming code installed on said system, wherein said compiled programming code is converted from said i-code list; and 
 circuitry for calling said compiled programming code for each row in said relational database table that needs to be uncompressed. 
   
     
     
         30 . The system as recited in  claim 29 , wherein said processor further comprises:
 circuitry for executing one of said i-code list and said control block if a user of said system requests to execute one of said i-code list and said control block.