1. A computer implemented method for determining the connectivity components defined by a set of relations over a set of data elements, comprising: selecting a subset of said set of data elements; selecting, using a randomization process, for each first data element of said subset a second data element that is linked by a path of relations to said first data element as its representative; and creating a new set of relations by replacing said each first data element of said subset by its representative in at least part of the set of relations.