Abstract: An apparatus and method optimize a UNION-type query, where the query has common components on both sides of the UNION-type operator. The UNION-type expression is analyzed to determine if the expression can be optimized, and if so, common portions on both sides of the UNION-type expression are extracted and the expression is reformulated so the common portions on both sides of the union expression are only run one time.

Abstract: A load balancer detects a server failure, and sends a failure notification message to the remaining servers. In response, one or more of the remaining servers may autonomically adjust their configuration parameters, thereby allowing the remaining servers to better handle the increased load caused by the server failure. One or more of the servers may also include a performance measurement mechanism that measures performance before and after an autonomic adjustment of the configuration parameters to determine whether and how much the autonomic adjustments improved the system performance. In this manner server computer systems may autonomically compensate for the failure of another server computer system that was sharing the workload.