Abstract: A method and system for supporting scrollable, updatable database queries is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a database engine receives a query request specifying the retrieval of data from a source table stored by the engine. The engine then generates a query table that contains references to rows of a source table that satisfy the query request. The engine then receives one or more retrieve requests requesting that data specified by the query be provided by the engine. For each retrieval request, the engine retrieves data from the source table using one Or more references from the query table.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing queries which make changes to an entire set of data stored in a database is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user selects one of more tables from which to construct a query. Next, the system stores a list box for each selected table. Each list box is displayed on a user interface including a query window which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The user selects one or more columns from the list boxes and drags the selected columns into a QBE grid located in the lower portion of the query window. The QBE grid provides a graphical representation of the query requested by the user. When the user invokes the query, the system determines the query type and performs appropriate action on the selected column from the selected tables.