Efficient computation of order by, order by with limit, min, and max in column-oriented databases

Abstract

In some example embodiments, there may be provided a method including detecting a query operator of a predetermined type requiring a sorting or a scanning responsive to the query operator at a column-oriented database; determining a sorted dictionary at the column-oriented database is eligible for direct access by at least checking that the column-oriented database provides sorted dictionary access and that dictionary collation and a collation of the query operator are the same; when the sorted dictionary is eligible, reading directly from the sorted dictionary a batch of sorted values; and processing, based on the batch sorted values read from the sorted dictionary, the query operator.