1. A method of translating between data formats, comprising: receiving a request to access data for one or more attributes, said request identifies said attributes in a first data format; accessing a mapping catalog customizable for a relational database schema, said mapping catalog identifies one or more portions of one or more tables in a relational database that stores said data for said one or more attributes, said relational database corresponds to said relational database schema; translating at least a portion of said request from said first data format to a form suitable for said relational database, said step of translating is based on said mapping catalog; and providing said translated request to said relational database.