Time-bound database tuning

A method for tuning a database by recommending a set of physical design structures for the database that optimize database performance for a given workload, wherein the workload comprises queries that have been executed on the database, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining a time interval during which at least a portion of the workload is to be examined to produce a recommended configuration;
• (b) dividing the time interval into first, second, and third time portions;
• (c) examining queries in the workload for the first time portion to determine structures that apply to the examined queries;
• (d) terminating the examining queries step no later than the expiration of the first time portion;
• (e) selecting candidate structures that relate to examined queries in the second time portion;
• (f) terminating the selecting candidate structures step no later than the expiration of the second time portion;
• (g) enumerating the set of recommended structures during the third time portion;
• and
• (h) terminating the enumerating step no later than the expiration of the third time portion.

A computer-readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for performing a method for tuning a database to recommend a set of physical design structures for the database that optimize database performance for a given workload, wherein the workload comprises queries that have been executed on the database, and wherein a total time bound that defines a maximum amount of time that can be spent tuning is given, the method comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a cumulative set of recommended structures;
• and
• updating the cumulative set of recommended structures by tuning the database by examining a predetermined portion of the workload during a time slice that is a fraction of the total time bound such that at the end of the time slice, a set of recommended structures has been enumerated that is based on the workload portions that have been examined;
• and
• repeating the updating step until all queries in the workload have been examined or until the time bound is reached.

A computer-readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for performing a method for tuning a database by recommending a set of physical design structures for the database that optimize database performance for a given workload, wherein the workload comprises queries that have been executed on the database, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining a time interval during which at least a portion of the workload is to be examined to produce a recommended configuration;
• (b) dividing the time interval into first, second, and third time portions;
• (c) examining queries in the workload for the first time portion to determine structures that apply to the examined queries;
• (d) terminating the examining queries step no later than the expiration of the first time portion;
• (e) selecting candidate structures that relate to examined queries in the second time portion;
• (f) terminating the selecting candidate structures step no later than the expiration of the second time portion;
• (g) enumerating the set of recommended structures during the third time portion;
• and
• (h) terminating the enumerating step no later than the expiration of the third time portion.

An apparatus for tuning a database to recommend a set of physical design structures for the database that optimize database performance for a given workload, wherein the workload comprises queries that have been executed on the database, and wherein a total time bound that defines a maximum amount of time that can be spent tuning is given, comprising:

• a structure accumulator for maintaining a cumulative set of recommended structures;
• and
• an update tool for updating the cumulative set of recommended structures by tuning the database by examining a predetermined portion of the workload during a time slice that is a fraction of the total time bound such that at the end of the time slice, a set of recommended structures has been enumerated that is based on the workload portions that have been examined;
• and
• wherein the update tool repeatedly updates the set until all queries in the workload have been examined or until the time bound is reached.

An apparatus for tuning a database by recommending a set of physical design structures for the database that optimize database performance for a given workload, wherein the workload comprises queries that have been executed on the database, comprising:

• (a) a time allocator that allocates tuning time by
• determining a time interval during which at least a portion of the workload is to be examined to produce a recommended configuration, and
• dividing the time interval into first, second, and third time portions;
• (b) a query parser for processing queries in the workload by
• examining queries in the workload for the first time portion to determine structures that apply to the examined queries, and
• terminating the examining queries step no later than the expiration of the first time portion;
• (c) a structure selector for processing the determined structures by
• selecting candidate structures that relate to examined queries in the second time portion, and
• terminating the selecting candidate structures step no later than the expiration of the second time portion;
• and
• (d) a structure enumerator for processing the selected structures by
• enumerating the set of recommended structures during the third time portion, and
• terminating the enumerating step no later than the expiration of the third time portion.

An apparatus for tuning a database to recommend a set of physical design structures for the database that optimize database performance for a given workload, wherein the workload comprises queries that have been executed on the database, and wherein a total time bound that defines a maximum amount of time that can be spent tuning is given, comprising:

• means for maintaining a cumulative set of recommended structures;
• and
• means for updating the cumulative set of recommended structures by tuning the database by examining a predetermined portion of the workload during a time slice that is a fraction of the total time bound such that at the end of the time slice, a set of recommended structures has been enumerated that is based on the workload portions that have been examined;
• and
• wherein the means for updating repeatedly updates the set until all queries in the workload have been examined or until the time bound is reached.

An apparatus for tuning a database by recommending a set of physical design structures for the database that optimize database performance for a given workload, wherein the workload comprises queries that have been executed on the database, comprising:

• (a) a time allocation means that allocates tuning time by
• determining a time interval during which at least a portion of the workload is to be examined to produce a recommended configuration, and
• dividing the time interval into first, second, and third time portions;
• (b) a query parsing means for processing queries in the workload by
• examining queries in the workload for the first time portion to determine structures that apply to the examined queries, and
• terminating the examining queries step no later than the expiration of the first time portion;
• (c) a structure selection means for processing the determined structures by
• selecting candidate structures that relate to examined queries in the second time portion, and
• terminating the selecting candidate structures step no later than the expiration of the second time portion;
• and
• (d) a structure enumeration means for processing the selected structures by
• enumerating the set of recommended structures during the third time portion, and
• terminating the enumerating step no later than the expiration of the third time portion.