An optimization technique is provided that optimizes data access by mapping each table, or row and/or column in a table, to a particular query, depending on whether the data in said table, row or column is ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ data. In one aspect, the invention features a method for optimizing the access time of an SQL query to a database including data. The method includes receiving, for each query type, a data frequency access measure and associating each query type with a processing rule set, according to the received data frequency access measure.