Hierarchical data skipping using data sketches

Abstract

A computer implemented method performs data skipping in a hierarchically organized computing system. A group of processor units determines leaf node data sketches for data in leaf nodes in the hierarchically organized computing system. The leaf node data sketches summarize attributes of data in the leaf nodes. The group of processor units aggregates the leaf node data sketches at intermediate nodes in the hierarchically organized computing system to form aggregated data sketches at the intermediate nodes and retains data sketches received at the intermediate nodes from a group of child nodes to form retained data sketches. The retained data sketches are one of leaf node data sketches and the aggregated data sketches. The group of processor units searches the data using the retained data sketches and the data skipping within the hierarchically organized computing system in response to queries made to the intermediate nodes in the hierarchically organized computing system.