1. A method of executing a statement in a computer, the statement being performed by the computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device connected to the computer, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first statement from another computer via a network; preparing the first statement to create an application plan that describes how data is to be retrieved from the database; receiving a second statement from another computer via the network; comparing the received second statement or clause thereof to the first statement or clause thereof; and when the received second statement or clause thereof is the same as the first statement or clause thereof, processing the second statement or clause thereof by executing the application plan created for the first statement or clause thereof, without preparing the second statement or clause thereof.