Altering tables in a database system may be difficult because the tables may only be altered when all connection to the tables have been released. A free resources parameter may be set on in a management system for the database system to specify that resources should be attempted to be released. Connections to the database may be closed earlier that conventionally closed. For example, connections that are idle may be released. Once the connections have been released the database may be altered and the free resources parameter turned off. The free resources parameter notifies the database system of a pending alteration and allows the database to gracefully close connections to provide an opportunity for the alteration to occur.