An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to manage tasks in a database system. Task information is sent to a host database program. The task information includes at least a command to perform a task requested by a user. The task information is parsed by the host database program. A library central to the host database program is invoked in response to the parsed task information. The library includes at least functions for task scheduling and task monitoring across sessions. The task is managed using the library. A task result is returned to the user.