Abstract: Manipulation of distributed heterogeneous data in a data processing system having multiple diverse data sources is permitted by providing a global data directory which maps the location of data, specific data entity attributes and data source parameters. An attribute table is provided within the global data directory which sets forth desired attributes in a logical data model for each data entity within the data processing system. A domain table related to the attribute table is utilized to specify domain information for each data entity attribute. Route and cross-reference tables are provided and utilized to specify data source or database parameters and a cross-reference between logical names within the logical data model and the diverse data sources. Desired heterogeneous data is then accessed utilizing the route and cross-reference tables and converted utilizing any known technique into an output having the desired attributes set forth within the attribute table.