Fundamental query processing techniques

Abstract

In this chapter, we present the basic techniques for processing spatial queries with R-trees. This includes methods for range and topological queries (which find data that satisfy a query region, along with their topological relations with respect to this region), nearest-neighbor queries (which find data closest to a query point), and spatial join queries (which find pairs of data that satisfy a condition, e.g., “determine all hotels that are placed near a square”). For each query type we present all the techniques and their variations that have been proposed in related research. Since the usefulness of the aforementioned query types is significant, several more complex extensions have been proposed. However, in this chapter we focus on the fundamental techniques and leave the examination of the more complex extensions for the next chapter.