A method and apparatus for diagnosing database performance problems using
a plurality of wait classes is provided. A set of statistical data that
describes current activity within a database system is periodically
retrieved. The set of statistical data may include information about the
current activity of each user session connected to the database system.
Thereafter, a set of cumulative statistical data that describes activity
in the database system over a period of time is updated to reflect the
retrieved set of statistical data. The set of cumulative statistical data
includes statistics associated with each of a plurality of wait classes.
A graphical user interface that displays the set of cumulative
statistical data may be presented to a user. The graphical user interface
allows the user to quickly ascertain the nature of the database
performance problems by providing a view of the set of cumulative
statistical data.