Thread: Genetic Query Optimizer

Hello,

Background:

I am  pursuing a MS degree at Christopher Newport University.  I'm currently 
looking for a subject for my thesis plus I've also got to do a simulated 
(scaled down) thesis proposal for class.  Since my degree program is applied, 
it doesn't necessarily have to be a pure research project. My goal is to do 
something that is useful, beneficial, and can be put to work.

Currently, I'm in the middle of an aritficial intelligence class which covered 
genetic algorithms a couple of weeks ago.  I knew that Postgresql used a geneic 
algo. for large query optimizations and I thought that this might be a good 
area to make a contribution.

No matter what I finally do decide on for my thesis, I've still got to 
write the proposal and give a presentation for the artificial intelligence class.

Questions that I can think of for now:

Who works on the genetic query optimizer (geqo)?From what I could find from the sources and the archives was that
 Martin S. Utesch 
 
maintains it or did.

Would my input/help be wanted?May sound silly, since anyone could post to the list and contribute,but I just want to be
sure.
Does it need to be improved?
What areas need to be improved?
Any special feature or request?
Any other ideas or recommendations?

The only recent discussion I could find was the following link which indicated 
that there might be some room for improvement.
http://archives.postgresql.org/pgsql-hackers/2000-12/msg01005.php

Any feedback/information that you can provide is appreciated.

Thank you
James Hubbard

P.S.
Here is some of the stuff I've come across while looking for information:

A Genetic Algorithm for Database Query Optimization
http://citeseer.nj.nec.com/bennett91genetic.html

Genetic Programming in Database Query Optimization
http://citeseer.nj.nec.com/stillger96genetic.html

Genetic Algorithms for Optimal Logical Database Design
http://citeseer.nj.nec.com/vanbommel94genetic.html

Optimization Of Dynamic Query Evaluation Plans
http://citeseer.nj.nec.com/cole94optimization.html

Physical Database Design Using a Genetic Algorithm Approach
http://citeseer.nj.nec.com/285413.html

"James L. Hubbard III" <jhubbard@mcs.uvawise.edu> writes:
> Who works on the genetic query optimizer (geqo)?

AFAIK, no one has touched the genetic algorithm itself in years --- not
since the original contributor, who has not been heard from in awhile.
The only changes to that code have been to clean up its interfaces to
the rest of the system (eg, make it use the new GUC mechanism to accept
parameters).

If you want to work on it, go right ahead!

> Does it need to be improved?

Finding better plans in less time is always better.

There aren't that many people using GEQO at the moment, I suspect,
just because there aren't that many people doing umpteen-way joins.
But I think it would be cool if it became a useful alternative to
the standard exhaustive optimizer at a lower crossover point.
        regards, tom lane