1. A method for producing graphics comprising: (A) determining a hierarchical structure of a first database; (B) constructing a visual table, comprised of a plurality of panes, by providing a specification that is in a language based on the hierarchical structure of the first database; (C) querying the first database to retrieve a set of tuples in accordance with said specification; (D) associating a subset of said set of tuples with a pane in said plurality of panes; and (E) encoding a tuple in said subset of tuples in said pane as a graphical mark.