Abstract: A global code system maintains reference records for multiple transaction processing systems on a central database (called a global code database). A client (i.e., a user or an external application) cannot directly create reference records on a transaction processing system. Instead, the client must request the global codes system to create a reference record. The global code system responds, in real time, by adding the record to the global codes database and by distributing the record to one or more transaction processing systems in real time. Similarly, the client cannot directly update or delete reference records on the transaction processing system. Instead, the client must request the global code system to update or delete the reference record. The global code system responds, in real time, by updating or deleting the reference record on the global codes database and by distributing the update or deletion to the transaction processing systems which had been instructed to create the record.