Abstract: An on-line database updating network system and method using object-oriented programming to build a program of discrete blocks, with each block being separately accessible, modifiable, and replaceable. The system includes a user terminal, a host terminal, and a communications channel. Origin dates of user module blocks of information stored in the user terminal are compared, over the communications channel, with origin dates of corresponding host module blocks of information stored in the host terminal. Host module blocks having origin dates more recent than corresponding user module blocks are downloaded as updated blocks over the communications channel to the user terminal. The downloaded updated blocks are then used to update the relevant user module blocks of information. Alternate host terminals may also be accessed by the user terminal, and updated alternate host module blocks of information may be downloaded to the user terminal.