Need faster database searches? This paper provides a comprehensive overview of multidimensional access methods, crucial for efficient search operations in both conventional and spatial databases. It focuses on methods designed to support point queries (finding objects containing a specific point) and region queries (finding objects overlapping a given region). The review categorizes and explains two main classes of access methods: point access methods (for searching sets of points) and spatial access methods (for handling extended objects like rectangles or polyhedra). It also discusses the theoretical underpinnings and experimental results associated with various approaches. By summarizing over a decade of spatial database research, the article offers valuable insights for database designers and researchers. Understanding the trade-offs between different access methods is vital for optimizing database performance, particularly in applications dealing with spatial data or other multidimensional datasets.
As a survey published in ACM Computing Surveys, this article aligns with the journal's aim to provide broad overviews of important areas within computer science. The focus on multidimensional access methods fits with the journal's emphasis on database systems, algorithms, and data structures, offering readers a synthesis of knowledge.