A method, system, and computer program product for generating checkpoint information in a database management system that determines the frequency of checkpointing of transactions based on a cost/benefit tradeoff analysis. A method for generating checkpointing information in a database management system comprises the steps of generating redo information based on transactions processed by the database management system, determining a cost of recovery using the redo information, determining a cost of taking a checkpoint, receiving a user specification of acceptable recovery delay and acceptable checkpoint overhead, and taking a checkpoint when cost effective to do so based on the cost of recovery using the redo information, the cost of taking the checkpoint and the user-specified acceptable delay and overhead.