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💻 Patricia Selinger and Query Optimisation

• Paul Barlow

This week we look at the significant contributions of Patricia (Pat) Selinger, a highly influential computer scientist in the field of relational database systems. It details her educational background and impressive career at IBM, where she became the first woman to be named an IBM Fellow. Selinger is best known for inventing the cost-based query optimizer, a crucial component that revolutionised how databases process queries efficiently, forming the basis of modern database engines. The text also mentions her work on the System R prototype and other database technologies, alongside recognition such as the SIGMOD Edgar F. Codd Innovations Award, solidifying her legacy as a pioneer and mentor in database technology.