1. A method of generating database queries directed to a database server, said database server storing data elements organized according to attributes, said method comprising: maintaining configuration data indicating a comparison predicate to be used for each combination of an attribute and a conditional operation; receiving from a user a first attribute, a first conditional operation and a first value; examining said configuration data to determine a first comparison predicate specified for the combination of said first attribute and said first conditional operation; incorporating said first value in said first comparison predicate to construct a second comparison predicate; and forming a first database query with said second comparison predicate.