System and method for concurrently storing and accessing data in a tree-like data structure

A method for supporting concurrent read and write operations in a data structure, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving a request from a reader for an item stored in a data structure, wherein the data structure comprises a plurality of nodes, at least one node of the plurality of nodes being associated with at least one other node of the plurality of nodes;
• (b) determining the node where the item is stored;
• (c) performing a read operation at the node to retrieve the item if a write operation related to the node is not occurring, otherwise waiting until the write operation has completed to perform the read operation;
• (d) determining whether the write operation related to the node occurred while the read operation was occurring;
• (e) repeating (b)-(c) until the read operation occurs without the write operation occurring concurrently;
• and
• (f) communicating the item to the reader.

A system for concurrently storing and accessing data, the system comprising:

• a memory operative to store a data structure comprising a plurality of nodes, at least one node of the plurality of nodes being associated with at least one other node of the plurality of nodes;
• and
• a processor operatively connected to the memory and operative to:
• associate each node of the plurality of nodes with an indicator indicative of an occurrence of a write operation related to the associated node;
• determine if a write operation, related to any of the plurality of nodes, is occurring and set the associated indicator in accordance therewith;
• and
• prevent access to any of the plurality of nodes whose associated indicator indicates the occurrence of the write operation and allowing access to others of the plurality of nodes.

A system for concurrently storing and accessing data, the system comprising:

• a memory operative to store a data structure comprising a plurality of nodes, at least one node of the plurality of nodes being associated with at least one other node of the plurality of nodes;
• and
• a processor in communication with the memory and operative to:
• (a) receive a request from a reader for an item stored in a data structure;
• (b) determine the node where the item is stored;
• (c) perform a read operation at the node to retrieve the item if a write operation related to the node is not occurring, otherwise wait until the write operation has completed to perform the read operation;
• (d) determine whether the write operation related to the node occurred while the read operation was occurring;
• (e) repeat (b)-(c) until the read operation occurs without the write operation occurring concurrently;
• and
• (f) communicate the item to the reader.