Which method is used to trigger a savepoint in an SAP HANA database?

In SAP HANA, a savepoint is a crucial mechanism that ensures data consistency by writing changes made in the in-memory database to the disk. Triggering a savepoint is typically done automatically at regular intervals or can be manually initiated under certain circumstances.

Performing a soft shutdown is the method that initiates a savepoint. A soft shutdown allows for a graceful termination of the database process, which includes ensuring that all pending transactions are completed and that a savepoint is created before the database is shut down. This operation is essential for maintaining the integrity of the data since it allows all changes recorded in memory to be persisted to disk.

Other options such as a hard shutdown, execute a restart, or run a commit command do not specifically trigger a savepoint on their own. A hard shutdown can lead to data loss because it does not provide an opportunity for completing current transactions or creating a savepoint. A restart does not inherently trigger a savepoint prior to the restart process, and while a commit command ensures that specific transactions are saved, it does not trigger the broader savepoint mechanism that handles all in-memory changes.

Hence, the option of performing a soft shutdown is directly related to the savepoint process, making it the correct choice in this context.