Abstract: Column-oriented database is a kind of new database storage technology that stores data according to column (not traditionally row). The database pioneers such as Dr. Michael Stonebraker are advocating and exploring the new theory and technology for column-oriented database. The main features of it arc good query efficiency,less disk access, less storage,and significant improvement of database performance. Column-oriented database is an ideal architecture for data warehouse natively, and thus shows a good potential in supporting highly efficient business intelligence applicadons. This new technology is promising in both academic and business, therefore attracting lots of high-tech corporalions and research institutes to devote in it, This paper introduced and analysed the main features,key technologies and current R&D situations of column-oriented database.

Key words: Column-oricntcd databasc,Comprcssion,l3lock itcration,Latc matcrialization,Invisiblc join,Data warchousc Business intelfigence,TPCH