ASYNCHRONOUS QUERY OPTIMIZATION USING SPARE HOSTS

A method and apparatus utilize idle processor time on spare host(s) in an SQL environment to select a query plan. The method comprises receiving a set of query plans for searching a database, and determining that at least one of the set of query plans was generated using heuristic techniques. One or more otherwise idle processors generate a plurality of alternative search plans. The plurality of alternative plans comprise all SQL-conforming search plans to a query with different join orders. Using the one or more otherwise idle processor(s) on one or more spare host(s) within the SQL environment, a resource cost is calculated for executing each alternative search plan within the plurality of alternate search plans. An optimal search plan is identified using the calculated resource costs, and is stored for use in a subsequent search. Such a query can reduce the resources needed to perform a search.