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 set of segments are divided into a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column of the plurality of columns includes one or more fields; analyzing the query to determine fields required to be retrieved from the database; determining whether a required field of the query is located in a main memory of the computer system; and 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.