Abstract: There is provided a method for adapting a commercially available relational database management system for a microcomputer so that it has the ability to access foreign data such as real time data for the examination and processing of that data by the DBMS. In this connection the operating system being used in the computer is provided with a kernel which has a driver which simulates for the DBMS a standard file format for the foreign data that is to be obtained. The information itself is obtained by a server activated by the driver. The server gets the foreign information and passes it back for the simulated file so that the simulated file can be addressed by the normal DBMS queries or commands.