Method and system for data compression in a relational database

A relational database system for applying lossless data compression, the system using a filter cascade having at least one compression filter stage, the system comprising:

• a database server having:
• a microprocessor for controlling operation of the database server;
• and
• a memory coupled to the microprocessor;
• the database server including a compression module resident in the memory for execution by the microprocessor, the compression module configured to:
• receive a data input having a plurality of elements to at least one compression filter stage of the filter cascade;
• analyze a plurality of data filters available for use in the at least one compression filter stage to determine whether at least one of the plurality of data filters is able to be applied or reapplied to the data input;
• heuristically evaluate at least one of the plurality of data filters determined as being able to be applied or reapplied to the data input;
• determine a proposed data filter to be applied or reapplied to the data input that was heuristically evaluated as the best data filter out of data filters that were determined as being able to be applied or reapplied to the data input;
• apply the proposed data filter to the data input to produce reconstruction information and filtered data;
• compress the reconstruction information to be included in a filter stream;
• and
• provide the filtered data as a compression filter stage output for the compression filter stage.