1. A method of retrieving information from a computer system, comprising: receiving a query for data stored in a database that includes a set of segments, wherein the query comprises one or more fields, wherein the set of segments are divided into a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column of the plurality of columns includes the one or more fields; analyzing the query to determine which of the one or more fields are required to be retrieved from the database; determining that a required field of the query is not located in a main memory of the computer system; in response to determining that the required field of the query is not located in the main memory of the computer system, creating an input/output request for a column containing the required field for a plurality of segments of the set of segments prior to executing the query; and reducing an amount of time needed to execute the query at least in part by: loading data of the column containing the required field from a long term storage that includes the database into the main memory; and executing the query when at least a portion of data corresponding to the one or more fields is stored in the main memory.