Information retrieval system and method using index ANDing for improving performance

An information retrieval system is adapted to process a query having an associated plan that includes applying predicates comprising local predicates and a join predicate, to at least two tables. Index ANDing is used to construct a filter for filtering a first of the tables in accordance with the local predicates. The join predicate is applied to the tables for determining row identifiers of rows satisfying the join predicate. The row identifiers are used to probe the filter for determining whether the rows satisfying the join predicate also satisfy the local predicates. The rows that satisfy both the join and local predicates are fetched and the join predicate is completed. Results of the join predicate are then returned.