1. A computer-implemented method of gathering data from a database, comprising: receiving a query statement configured to request a result set from the database, including query constructs of a first query language format and a reference to at least one previously defined abstract query containing logical fields corresponding to physical fields of the database; obtaining the abstract query referenced in the query statement; generating a query executable against the database, based on the abstract query referenced in the query statement, as modified by the query constructs of the first query language format; and receiving query results corresponding to the executed query.