Patent ID: 7624120
Filing Date: 2009-11-24
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A processor-implemented method of making changes to a first portion of a database table while retaining access to a second portion of the database, the method comprising: separating, via the processor, the first portion of the database table from the database table, wherein the separated first portion is accessed off-line from the database table, wherein the first portion of the database table has a first set of metadata pointers and a portion outside of the database table has a second set of metadata pointers, wherein the separating is performed by switching metadata pointers of the first set and the second set; making changes to the separated first portion to generate a changed first portion; switching the changed first portion back into the database table by switching the metadata pointers of the first set with the second set, wherein the changed first portion is mapped back into the database table, wherein no data is moved as the changed first portion is rejoined with the database table, and wherein the second portion of the database table remained accessible to users during a time when the separated first portion was off-line, the metadata pointers of the first set being set forth in a first index associated with the database table, the metadata pointers of the second set being set forth in a second index associated with a switching table, the separating as performed by switching metadata pointers of the first set and the second set comprising identifying the second index associated with the switching table from among a plurality of indexes already associated with the switching table and switching the first index and the identified second index without modifying the identified second index, the identifying of the second index from among the plurality of indexes comprising finding an index from among the plurality of indexes, the found list having a list of key columns identical to a list of key columns of the first index such that an order and number of key columns matches, the found list also having a set operator of non-key columns identical to a set operator of non-key columns of the first index such that a number and type of the non-key columns matches.