Define b-tree algorithm and describe how can it execute query
The B-tree algorithm is a self-balancing search tree data structure that maintains sorted data and allows for efficient search, insertion, and deletion operations. It is commonly used in database systems and file systems due to its ability to handle large amounts of data stored on disk.
To execute a query using the B-tree algorithm, the following steps can be followed:
1. Start at the root node of the B-tree.
2. Compare the query value with the keys stored in the current node.
3. If the query value is equal to a key in the current node, the query has found a match and the algorithm can return the corresponding data.
4. If the query value is less than a key in the current node, move to the left child node of that key.
5. If the query value is greater than a key in the current node, move to the right child node of that key.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 until a leaf node is reached.
7. If the query value is found in the leaf node, the algorithm can return the corresponding data.
8. If the query value is not found in the leaf node, the algorithm concludes that the query value is not present in the B-tree.
The B-tree algorithm exploits the tree's balanced property, which ensures that the height of the tree remains relatively small, allowing for efficient query execution. Additionally, the algorithm optimizes disk access by making use of node caching and sequential reads, minimizing disk I/O operations.