Patent ID: 6418443
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for analyzing physical characteristics of a database record in an Information Management System (IMS) database, the method comprising:tracing database retrieval to collect physical location information for each segment of the database record; identifying one or more segments which represent a fragmented boundary twin chain using the collected physical location information for each segment of the database record; creating a list of fragmented boundary twin chains in response to identifying one or more segments which represent a fragmented boundary twin chain; determining a total number of physical blocks currently used to hold the database record, wherein said determining uses the physical location information of the segments of the database record; calculating a minimum number of physical blocks needed to hold the database record, wherein said calculating uses the physical location information of the segments of the database record; and determining if the database record is fragmented in response to the total number of physical blocks currently used and the minimum number of physical blocks needed to hold the database record.