Database machines: a survey

This paper surveys a class of computer architectures that use parallelism to enhance the performance of relational database systems. These architectures are referred to as Database Machines (DBMs). This survey groups the database machines into a small number of classes according to a newly developed classification scheme. The classes are then reviewed, examined, and compared in light of current and future trends in processor and memory technologies. • Ghassan Z. Qadah is currently visiting Institut Fur Infonnatik-the Swiss Institute of Technology-Zurich, Switzerland.