1. A method for retrieving data from a database system by an external process, said external process issuing data queries in a first query language, said database system accepting and processing data requests in a second query language, which method comprises the steps of: a. providing an interface module operatively coupled to the external process and the database system, said interface module generating an equivalent data request in the second query language when receiving a data query in the first query language; b. sending a data query in the first query language from the external process to the interface module; c. generating in the interface module at least one data request in the second query language, said data request being equivalent to the data query sent by the external process; d. sending the generated data request from the interface module to the database system for processing and data retrieval; e. transferring the retrieved data from the database system to the interface module; and f. returning the transferred data from the interface module to the external process, wherein the retrieval of data from the database system is carried out concurrently with the transfer of the retrieved data from the database system to the interface module.