1. A computer-implemented method for managing evaluation of a rule based on a composite event that is defined to consist of multiple primitive events, the method comprising: determining that a first part of a condition, of the rule, is satisfied by an instance of a first primitive event of the multiple primitive events, wherein the first part of the condition must be satisfied to trigger an action corresponding to the rule; storing persistently in a database, first state information associated with the first part of the condition and associated with the rule, wherein the first state information represents that the first part of the condition is satisfied by the instance of the first primitive event; wherein the first state information is stored in a first table; and wherein the first state information includes a reference to a record, in a second table, of the instance of the first primitive event.