The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 18, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 08, 2004
Robert S. Ray, Cary, NC (US);
Scott A. Mebust, Durham, NC (US);
Robert S. Ray, Cary, NC (US);
Scott A. Mebust, Durham, NC (US);
SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC (US);
Abstract
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for data sorting. A method for use with one or more processing devices in order to merge sorted runs of data may include the steps of: defining a plurality of floating buffers; calculating a number of data blocks for each floating buffer; configuring the floating buffers to store the number of data blocks; and using the floating buffers to perform an external data sorting operation. A data sorting system may include one or more programs, and may be used with a plurality of floating buffers and a data storage device for storing a plurality of sorted runs of data blocks, each data block including a plurality of data records. The one or more programs in a data sorting system may be operable to calculate a number of data blocks for each floating buffer and configure the plurality of floating buffers to store the number of data blocks. In addition, the one or more programs in a data sorting system may be further operable to sort the plurality of data records into a single sorted output using the plurality of floating buffers.