1. A system for enabling analysis of the performance of an operational database management system using a test database management system, said test database management system including: means for storing a copy of system catalog tables from said operational database management system in user tables in said test database management system; means for accepting test queries in said test database management system; means for compiling said test queries in said test database management system, said means for compiling being substantially identical to means for compiling queries in said operational database management system; and means for generating an access plan for each test query whereby the ability of said operational database management system may be evaluated.