1. A method for accessing values in a relational database, wherein the relational database operates in a computer system and provides returned values responsive to queries specified in a predefined query language, wherein the relational database supports the use of functions and operators to perform operations on values within the database, wherein the relational database includes a plurality of tables, wherein each table is associated with one or more attributes, wherein each attribute has a set of values, wherein the method includes a user interface executing on a computer system operated by a human user, wherein the computer system executing the user interface includes a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the processor is further coupled to the user interface and the relational database, the method comprising the following steps: associating a first familiar name with a first returned value, wherein the familiar name is also associated with the following: a SELECT clause describing the values returned using a combination of the functions and operators supported by the predefined query language; a WHERE clause describing a condition which can be used to restrict the scope of the returned value; and a plurality of tables containing the attributes on which the SELECT and WHERE clauses operate; accepting signals from the user interface to specify a query, wherein the query includes the familiar name; generating a query in the predefined query language, wherein the query includes the condition; and using the query to access one or more attributes in the relational database.