A database command is received from a user for modifying an existing data structure or creating a new data structure. The database command is used to construct a query that is provided to a query optimizer component where the query is transformed into a first query execution plan including operations that persist operation state. Some data specified in the query is received, and some of the new data structure is constructed by executing some of the first query plan. While receiving some of data specified in the query and constructing some of the new data structure, operation state of execution is persisted. When an interruption of execution of the first query plan occurs, an updated query plan is generated using persisted operation state. External updates occur, before or after the interruption, but before executing the updated query plan. The external updates are transactionally validated.