UPDATING A LOG STRUCTURED MERGED TREE

A method for updating a log structured merged (LSM) tree, the method includes (a) performing preemptive full merge operations at first LSM tree levels; and (b) performing capacity triggered merge operations at second LSM tree levels while imposing one or more restrictions; wherein the second LSM tree levels comprise a largest LSM tree level and one or more other second LSM tree levels that are larger from each first LSM tree level; wherein files of the one or more other second LSM tree levels are aligned with files of the largest LSM tree level.