1. A computer-implemented method to determine error propagation for a query optimizer component of a database management system (DBMS) for a database, the method comprising: receiving, from a requesting entity, a database query specifying one or more query conditions to apply to at least a first database column when querying on or more database tables; determining a measure of actual selectivity of the one or more query conditions specified in the received database query wherein the measure of actual selectivity comprises a predefined function of at least: (i) a total count of rows from the one or more database tables before applying the one or more query conditions; and (ii) a total count of rows returned from the one or more database tables as a result of applying the one or more query conditions; determining a measure of estimated selectivity of the one or more query conditions specified in the received database query, wherein the measure of estimated selectivity comprises a predefined function of at least two of: (i) the total count of rows from the one or more database tables before applying the one or more query conditions; (ii) a total count of null values in the first database column; (iii) a total count of instances count of distinct values represented in a frequency table associated with the first database table; and (v) a total count of distinct values in the first database column; determining a measure of estimated deviation between the determined measure of actual selectivity and the determined measure of estimated selectivity; and executing the database query based on the determined measure of eatimated deviation and by operation of one or more computer processors in order to generate a set of results, wherein the set of results is returned to the requesting entity.