Query processing is a critical task that involves sorting large data sets that do not fit in main memory. The external sort merge algorithm efficiently handles this by sorting data that exceeds main memory capacity. Physical sorting of records is preferred to reduce disk accesses and improve performance.
What is the key role of the external sort merge algorithm?
The algorithm efficiently sorts large data sets that exceed main memory capacity.
Why is physical sorting of records preferred?
It helps reduce disk accesses and improves overall performance.
How does the algorithm handle data sorting and merging?
Data from multiple runs is sorted and merged in main memory iteratively.
What is the purpose of output buffering during write operations?
Output buffering minimizes disk accesses for efficient write operations.
How are blocks compared and written during the sorting process?
Blocks of data are compared based on the first value or tuple and written in increasing order.
What happens once a block is full during the sorting process?
The block is written to disk, and the buffer is cleared for the next set of data.
How are runs merged iteratively?
Runs are merged by comparing and writing to the output buffer and disk in pairs.
When does the iterative merging process stop?
The process continues until all runs are merged to complete the relation.
What is the significance of using a specific factor in merging?
The factor helps handle merging when all runs cannot fit in memory at once.
How is the total number of block transfers determined?
The formula considers block size, memory size, and passes for accurate calculation.
Query processing is a critical task that involves sorting large data sets that do not fit in main memory. The external sort merge algorithm efficiently handles this by sorting data that exceeds main memory capacity. Physical sorting of records is preferred to reduce disk accesses and improve performance.
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