Timestamp block iterator

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• iterating through at least a portion of a table stored in a database by at least identifying a first timestamp block associated with a first range of rows comprising at least the portion of the table;
• in response to determining that the first timestamp block comprises a sparse timestamp block, storing timestamps associated with some but not all of a plurality of rows in the first range of rows, generating a bitmap including a plurality of binary values, each of the plurality of binary values corresponding to one of the plurality of rows in the first range of rows, and each of the plurality of binary values indicating whether the first timestamp block includes a timestamp associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of rows in the first range of rows;
• iterating through the first range of rows by at least accessing, based at least on the bitmap, the first timestamp block to read or write at least a first timestamp associated with a first row in the first range of rows, the first timestamp further being associated with a first transaction;
• and
• in response the first timestamp block having reached a maximum capacity during a writing of at least the first timestamp, allocating a second timestamp block for storing the first timestamp, the second timestamp block being a first dense timestamp block configured to store every timestamp associated with the first range of rows.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by at least one data processor, result in operations comprising:

• iterating through at least a portion of a table stored in a database by at least identifying a first timestamp block associated with a first range of rows comprising at least the portion of the table;
• in response to determining that the first timestamp block comprises a sparse timestamp block storing timestamps associated with some but not all of a plurality of rows in the first range of rows, generating a bitmap including a plurality of binary values, each of the plurality of binary values corresponding to one of the plurality of rows in the first range of rows, and each of the plurality of binary values indicating whether the first timestamp block includes a timestamp associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of rows in the first range of rows;
• iterating through the first range of rows by at least accessing, based at least on the bitmap, the first timestamp block to read or write at least a first timestamp associated with a first row in the first range of rows, the first timestamp further being associated with a first transaction;
• and
• in response the first timestamp block having reached a maximum capacity during a writing of at least the first timestamp, allocating a second timestamp block for storing the first timestamp, the second timestamp block being a first dense timestamp block configured to store every timestamp associated with the first range of rows.