What if mass storage were free?

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates how database systems would be designed and used under the limiting-case assumption that mass storage is free. It is argued that free mass storage would free database systems from the limitations and problems caused by conventional deletion techniques. A non-deletion strategy would significantly simplify database systems and their operation, as well as increase their functionality and availability. Consideration of this limiting case helps shed light on a more realistic argument: if the cost of mass storage were low enough, then deletion would become undesirable. It is also argued that the often labor-intensive costs and time delays involved in archival and retrieval of older data can be minimized if a single technology were available with low-cost on-line storage and a low-cost archival media with long shelf life. Optical discs promise to come one to two orders of magnitude closer to the limiting case of free mass storage than ever before. Other features of optical discs include improved reliability and a single technology for both on-line and archival storage with a long shelf life. Because of these features and because of (not in spite of) their non-deletion limitation, it is argued that optical discs fit the requirements of database systems better than magnetic discs and tapes.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.3 MEMORY STRUCTURES
      B.3.2 Design Styles
          Subjects: Mass storage (e.g., magnetic, optical, RAID)

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT

General Terms:
Management, Performance