Parallel optimized triggers in parallel processing database systems

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for accessing a subject table in a computer system. The subject table is partitioned across a plurality of processing units of the computer system. A trigger is defined for the subject table, such that when a triggering event occurs on the subject table, a triggered action is performed Both the triggering event and triggered action can be performed in parallel by the computer system. A spool table is generated for each partition of the subject table, wherein the spool table stores one or more necessary records accessed from the subject table by the triggering event. In this manner, triggered actions that refer to these necessary rows need not access the subject table again.