1. A method for developing and maintaining an information system that includes an application environment and a database system, said database system including business components and application components, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a generic and rigid database (GMD) schema operative to represent all said business components and application components as records physically stored in a storage mechanism included in said schema; and b. using said generic and rigid schema that includes general-generic tables and which is used to build, run and maintain said information system and to effect operations on said business components and application components in a codeless way, by adding, deleting or changing values in said records.