Recovering data in a dispersed storage network

A processing system of a dispersed storage and task (DST) client module comprises:

• at least one processor;
• a memory that stores operational instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing system to:
• determine a selected read threshold number of encoded slices of each set of encoded slices of a plurality of sets of encoded slices stored in a set of storage units, wherein each set of the a plurality of sets of encoded slices corresponds to one of a plurality of data segments;
• issue a read threshold number of read slice requests to storage units of the set of storage units, where the read threshold number of read slice requests includes identities of the selected read threshold number of encoded slices;
• receive one or more encoded slices of the selected read threshold number of encoded slices;
• for each data segment of the plurality of data segments, when a next encoded data slice of a decode threshold number of encoded data slices is received within a response timeframe, initiate outputting of the next encoded data slice;
• when the next encoded data slice is not received within the response timeframe, facilitate receiving of another decode threshold number of encoded slices of the set of encoded slices for a corresponding data segment of the plurality of data segments;
• decode the other decode threshold number of encoded slices to produce recovered encoded data slices, where the recovered encoded data slices includes at least a recovered next encoded data slice and at most the set of encoded slices for the corresponding data segment;
• and
• initiate outputting the recovered next encoded data slice.

A computer readable storage medium comprises:

• at least one memory section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by a processing system of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes a processor and a memory, causes the processing system to:
• determine a selected read threshold number of encoded slices of each set of encoded slices of a plurality of sets of encoded slices stored in a set of storage units, wherein each set of the a plurality of sets of encoded slices corresponds to one of a plurality of data segments;
• issue a read threshold number of read slice requests to storage units of the set of storage units, where the read threshold number of read slice requests includes identities of the selected read threshold number of encoded slices;
• receive one or more encoded slices of the selected read threshold number of encoded slices;
• for each data segment of the plurality of data segments, when a next encoded data slice of a decode threshold number of encoded data slices is received within a response timeframe, initiate outputting of the next encoded data slice;
• when the next encoded data slice is not received within the response timeframe, facilitate receiving of another decode threshold number of encoded slices of the set of encoded slices for a corresponding data segment of the plurality of data segments;
• decode the other decode threshold number of encoded slices to produce recovered encoded data slices, where the recovered encoded data slices includes at least a recovered next encoded data slice and at most the set of encoded slices for the corresponding data segment;
• and
• initiate outputting the recovered next encoded data slice.