Patent ID: 7574425

Claim:
A method for managing database query execution by way of flexible policies that are defined and applied to operate at specified operational control points in a database management system, comprising: providing an automated user interface for said database management system; receiving a control point policy at said interface, said control point policy specifying: a control point policy name; a control point target representing a database management execution path location where said control point policy is attached; a control point policy filter specifying an operational context at said control point policy target that causes a database query management action to be performed; and a database query management action that is performed in response to said control point policy target being reached during operation of said database management system and said filter evaluating to true; creating a control point policy definition of said control point policy, said control point policy definition being inactive but capable of instantiation in multiple instances by applying said control policy definition to multiple spheres of database operation, including spheres that are overlapping; receiving a control point policy activation request at said interface, said control point policy activation request specifying: a control point policy name; a control point policy application name; a sphere of database operation to which said control point policy is applied; a level at which said control point policy is applied relative to other control point policies applied to overlapping spheres; and an environment in which said control point policy is executed; and activating said control point policy in response to said control point policy activation request by applying an instance of said control point policy definition to said sphere of database operation at said level and with said environment.