What would typically follow a FETCH operation in a query plan?

In a query plan, a FETCH operation retrieves documents from the database after the query criteria have been evaluated. Following this operation, it is common for a sort operation to take place, particularly if the query has an associated sort step specified. This means that once the relevant documents are fetched, they may need to be reordered based on one or more specified fields to produce the final sorted output for the user.

Sorting is a fundamental aspect of how results can be presented, ensuring that data is arranged in a logical order that meets user expectations. It also optimizes the way results are retrieved and displayed, particularly in large datasets where a specific order can significantly enhance usability and readability.

In contrast, document updates, indexing activities, or the application of aggregation functions typically occur at different stages or in different contexts within query processing. Updates modify existing documents and are usually not a direct follow-up to a FETCH operation. Indexing is part of the initial optimization process during query execution, helping to speed up retrieval but not occurring immediately after a FETCH operation. Aggregation functions often operate on sets of data to perform calculations or transformations, happening either as part of the query pipeline or after the results have been fetched rather than directly following the FETCH itself. Thus, following a FETCH operation,