System and method for rapidly locating historical performance data

Abstract

A method is described for providing performance metrics stored in an array of at least three-dimensions. The method includes receiving at least one metric criteria associated with a performance metric. The method also includes determining a list of array elements. The list represents a portion of the array including the at least one metric criteria. The method further includes sorting the list of array elements according to predetermined ordering criteria to identify a best match of the at least one metric criteria. A system and article of manufacture are also described for providing performance metrics stored in an array of at least three dimensions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing performance metrics stored in an array of at least three-dimensions, comprising: 
 receiving at least one metric criteria associated with a performance metric;    determining a list of array elements, the list representing a portion of the array including the at least one metric criteria; and    sorting the list of array elements according to predetermined ordering criteria to identify a best match of the at least one metric criteria.    
     
     
         2 . A method for providing performance metrics stored in an array of at least three-dimensions, comprising: 
 receiving at least one metric criteria associated with a performance metric;    determining a list of array elements, the list representing a portion of the array including the at least one metric criteria;    sorting the list of array elements according to predetermined ordering criteria; and    analyzing each array element of the list to determine whether it best matches the at least one metric criteria.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one basic metric requirement is selected from a group including date, machine identifier, resource set, Cube type and user description.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further including receiving an option flag, and wherein analyzing each listed array element includes filtering each listed array element according to the option flag.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the option flag indicates that a best matching array element may represent a time span less than a time span defined as a basic metric requirement.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the option flag indicates that a best matching array element may represent a nearest earlier time span compared to a time span defined as a basic metric requirement.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the option flag indicates that a best matching array element may represent a nearest later time span compared to a time span defined as a basic metric requirement.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the option flag indicates that a best matching array element must represent an exact match of at least one of the at least one basic metric requirements.  
     
     
         9  The method of  claim 2 , further comprising returning a reference to an array element that best matches the performance metric based on the step of analyzing.  
     
     
         10  The method of  claim 2 , further comprising returning an error code if no best match performance metric is determined.  
     
     
         11 . A system for providing performance metrics stored in an array of at least three dimensions, comprising: 
 means for receiving at least one metric criteria associated with a performance metric;    means for determining a list of array elements, the list representing a portion of the array including at least one metric criteria;    means for sorting the list of array elements according to predetermined ordering criteria; and    means for analyzing each array element of the list to determine whether it best matches the at least one metric criteria.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one basic metric requirement is selected from a group including date, machine identifier, resource set, cube type and user description.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further including means for receiving an option flag, and wherein the means for analyzing each listed array element filters each listed array element according to the option flag.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the option flag indicates that a best matching array element may represent a time span less than a time span defined as a basic metric requirement.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the option flag indicates that a best matching array element may represent a nearest earlier time span compared to a time span defined as a basic metric requirement.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the option flag indicates that a best matching array element may represent a nearest later time span compared to a time span defined as a basic metric requirement.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the option flag indicates that a best matching array element must represent an exact match of at least one of the at least one basic metric requirements.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising means for returning a reference to an array element that best matches performance metric based on the step of analyzing.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising means for returning an error code if no best match performance metric is determined.  
     
     
         20 . A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for providing performance metrics stored in an array of at least three dimensions, comprising: 
 computer readable instructions for receiving at least one metric criteria associated with a performance metric;    computer readable instructions for determining a list of array elements, the list representing a portion of the array including at least one metric criteria;    computer readable instructions for sorting the list of array elements according to predetermined ordering criteria;    computer readable instructions for analyzing each element of the array element to determine whether it best matches the at least one metric criteria;    computer readable instructions for returning a reference to an array element that best matches the performance metric based on the step of analyzing; and    computer readable instructions for returning an error code if no best match performance metric is determined.