1. A method for executing a query, said method comprising the steps of: executing a portion of a predetermined query plan, said predetermined query plan including at least one sequence of pipelined joins; providing a reordered query plan for said sequence of pipelined joins; comparing a ranking metric of said portion of said predetermined query plan with a ranking metric of said reordered query plan; and executing a portion of said reordered query plan if said ranking metric of said reordered query plan is less than said ranking metric of said portion of said predetermined query plan.