Indexing based on key ranges

A search method implemented on a computer for indexing a plurality of objects stored in a data storage system and for searching for specific stored objects included within the plurality of stored objects, the method comprising:

• creating and storing a plurality of index parameters for the plurality of stored objects, with the plurality of index parameters being stored in a plurality of cache nodes and where each cache node contains more than one said index parameter, and all said index parameters stored in each cache node are organized in a predetermined order;
• selecting a subset of index parameters and caching said subset as an express index to support searches for specific stored objects within a predetermined subset of stored objects;
• implementing a search for specific stored objects from the predetermined subset of stored objects by analyzing the index parameters in the selected subset of index parameters;
• and
• continuing the search for specific stored objects by analyzing more index parameters than the selected subset of index parameters if the location of a specific stored object is not detected by analyzing the selected subset of index parameters and also is determined not to reside in the hierarchy.

A search method implemented on a computer for indexing a plurality of objects stored in a data storage system and searching for specific stored objects included within the plurality of stored objects, the method comprising:

• creating and storing a plurality of index parameters for the plurality of stored objects with the plurality of index parameters being stored in a plurality of cache nodes;
• identifying the cache nodes included within the plurality of cache nodes that contain index parameters used most often in the searches for specific stored objects;
• implementing a search for specific stored objects by first analyzing the index parameters in the cache nodes that are used most often in searching for specific stored objects;
• and
• continuing the search for the specific stored objects by analyzing more index parameters than the index parameters used most often if the search using only the index parameters used most often fails to detect the location of the specific stored objects.