Data expanse using memory-mapped files on a system architecture interface layer-based mainframe operating system

1. A method for obtaining access to database files in a computing system that includes computing hardware, an underlying operating environment executing on the computing hardware, the underlying operating environment defining a first file system, an emulated operating system executing over the underlying operating environment, the emulated operating system defining a second file system that is distinct from the first file system, and an operating system interface that facilitates access to the first file system from the emulated operating system, the method comprising:

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a first call from a database management system executing over the emulated operating system, the first call requesting access to a database file in the second file system;

transmitting, from the emulated operating system, a second call to the operating system interface requesting that a memory-mapped data expanse file be created in the first file system and managed by the operating system interface, the memory-mapped data expanse file containing content of the database file in the second file system and being distinct from any swap file used for virtual-memory paging of programs other than the database management system;

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a first mapped address representing the memory-mapped data expanse file in response to successful transfer of the content of the database file in the second file system to the memory-mapped data expanse file;

transmitting the first mapped address to the database management system such that the database management system accesses a bank of memory addresses without having to cache the memory-mapped data expanse file; and

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a third call from the database management system, wherein the third call specifies a view address and a size of a view to be created of the memory-mapped data expanse file;

wherein the first call is converted from a call compatible with the database management system to a call compatible with the operating system interface, wherein the second call is compatible with the operating system interface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second address comprises an extended mode virtual address.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database file in the second file system has a size greater than an address range available to the database management system.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of memory-mapped data expanse files are located at the operating system interface, and wherein each memory-mapped data expanse file of the plurality of memory-mapped data expanse files represents a different mapping to a different database file in the second file system.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database file in the second file system is physically stored in an external disk.

6. A computer program product operable in a computing system that includes computing hardware, an underlying operating environment executing on the computing hardware, the underlying operating environment defining a first file system, an emulated operating system executing over the underlying operating environment, the emulated operating system defining a second file system that is distinct from the first file system, and an operating system interface that facilitates access to the first file system from the emulated operating system, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of the computing system, cause the processor to perform operations including:

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a first call from a database management system requesting access to a database file in the second file system in the second file system, the database management system executing over the emulated operating system;

transmitting, from the emulated operating system, a second call to the operating system interface requesting that a memory-mapped data expanse file be created in the first file system and managed by the operating system interface, the memory-mapped data expanse file containing content of the database file in the second file system and being distinct from any swap file used for virtual-memory paging of programs other than the database management system;

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a first mapped address representing the memory-mapped data expanse file in response to successful transfer of the content of the database file in the second file system to the memory-mapped data expanse file; and

transmitting the first mapped address to the database management system such that the database management system accesses a bank of memory addresses without having to cache the memory-mapped data expanse file;

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a third call from the database management system, wherein the third call specifies a view address and a size of a view to be created of the memory-mapped data expanse file; and

transmitting, from the emulated operating system, the view address to the database management system;

wherein the first call is converted from a call compatible with the database management system to a call compatible with the operating system interface, wherein the second call is compatible with the operating system interface.

7. The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein the second address comprises an extended mode virtual address.

8. The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein the database file in the second file system has a size greater than an address range available to the database management system.

9. The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein a plurality of memory-mapped data expanse files are located at the operating system interface, and wherein each memory-mapped data expanse file of the plurality of memory-mapped data expanse files represents a different mapping to a different database file in the second file system.

10. The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein the database file is physically stored in an external disk.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

computing hardware including memory and a processor coupled to the memory, an underlying operating environment executing on the computing hardware, the underlying operating environment defining a first file system, an emulated operating system executing over the underlying operating environment, the emulated operating system defining a second file system that is distinct from the first file system, and an operating system interface that facilitates access to the first file system from the emulated operating system; and

wherein the processor is configured to execute operations including:

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a first call from a database management system requesting access to a database file in the second file system in the second file system, the database management system executing over the emulated operating system;

transmitting, from the emulated operating system, a second call to the operating system interface requesting that a memory-mapped data expanse file be created in the first file system and managed by the operating system interface, the memory-mapped data expanse file containing content of the database file in the second file system and being distinct from any swap file used for virtual-memory paging of programs other than the database management system;

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a first mapped address representing the memory-mapped data expanse file in response to successful transfer of the content of the database file in the second file system to the memory-mapped data expanse file; and

transmitting the first mapped address to the database management system such that the database management system accesses a bank of memory addresses without having to cache the memory-mapped data expanse file; and

receiving, at the emulated operating system, a third call from the database management system, wherein the third call specifies a view address and a size of a view to be created of the memory-mapped data expanse file;

wherein the first call is converted from a call compatible with the database management system to a call compatible with the operating system interface, wherein the second call is compatible with the operating system interface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second address comprises an extended mode virtual address.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the database file in the second file system has a size greater than an address range available to the database management system, and wherein the database file in the second file system is physically stored in an external disk.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein a plurality of memory-mapped data expanse files are located at the operating system interface, and wherein each memory-mapped data expanse file of the plurality of memory-mapped data expanse files represents a different mapping to a different database file in the second file system.