1. A computer-implemented method for processing a database statement in a multi-server system, the method comprising: receiving the database statement at a first database server; within the first database server, generating a master plan about how to execute the database statement, and a set of one or more hints that represent directives that influence an execution plan generated for the database statement; within a second database server, generating a remote plan about how to execute the database statement, based at least in part on the set of one or more hints.