1. A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of root cause analysis of database system performance and availability issues, the method comprising: obtaining a value of each of one or more database-related quantities selected from the group consisting of database parameters and database performance statistics at a beginning point of time T(i); obtaining a value of each of said one or more database-related quantities at an ending point of time T(i+1); calculating and recording value differences between ending and starting values for each of said one or more database-related quantities and recording the duration between T(i) and T(i+1) and a current time stamp; and enabling a user to view the difference for each of said one or more database-related quantities to determine at least one item selected from the group consisting of: a greatest absolute value, a greatest percent increase, and an impact on performance of the database system.