Performance Evaluation of Object-Oriented Active Database Systems Using the BEAST Benchmark

This paper uses the BEAST benchmark to present the first comprehensive performance study of object-oriented active database management systems (ADBMS). BEAST stresses the performance-critical components of active systems: event detection, event composition, rule retrieval, and rule firing. Method invocation events and transactional events are taken into account. Four systems, namely ACOOD, NAOS, Ode, and SAMOS, have been tested with the benchmark tests of BEAST. The performance measurements demonstrate achievements in the area of active database technology, but also indicate trade-offs (e.g., between performance and functionality). Finally, the benchmark identifies optimizations and provides hints to ADBMS designers about producing systems with adequate performance and functionality — as well as some open issues. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.