Query Hint Life-Cycle Management for Database Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Database management systems face performance issues due to cluttered and outdated query hints, which can lead to inefficient query plans and resource wastage, as they require manual intervention for hint management and lack automated life-cycle management.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a hint life-cycle management system that uses hint profile data to monitor and manage query hints, automatically updating or removing hints based on triggering events, such as data or code changes, and providing performance benefits without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual hint management is used, then administrators can control query hints, but performance deteriorates due to outdated hints and resource wastage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequery processing performanceVSAvoidresource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated hint life-cycle management where the database management system automatically monitors, evaluates, updates, and removes query hints based on performance metrics and triggering events, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention and ensuring hints remain optimized without administrative overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous monitoring of query performance metrics and uses this feedback to automatically determine when hints should be updated or removed, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing data and workload conditions without manual input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automated hint life-cycle management is implemented, then performance improves through optimal query plans, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequery processing efficiencyVSAvoidhint management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hint management functionality is segmented into distinct modular components including hint profile data storage, triggering event detection, performance metric monitoring, and automated hint update/removal logic, allowing the complex system to be managed through independent, manageable modules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a intermediary hint management layer between the query optimizer and execution engine that automatically handles hint evaluation and updates, shielding administrators from the complexity while maintaining optimal query performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If hints are manually updated, then control is maintained, but time is lost due to continuous monitoring and manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehint validityVSAvoidadministrative time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring data changes and workload patterns in the background, automatically detecting triggering events before they impact query performance, and proactively updating hints to maintain validity without requiring administrative response time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10133779B2Query hint management for a database management system
Publication Date: 2018.11.20 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US10133779B2 patent drawing
  • US10133779B2 patent drawing
  • US10133779B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed aspects relate to query hint management for a database management system. With respect to a hint for a query, a set of hint profile data is established. The database management system detects a triggering event. Based on the set of hint profile data, the database management system determines to perform a hint action in response to the triggering event. Performance of the hint action is initiated.