1. A graphic user interface method for defining a database query definition and output representation operation parameters of a database parameter , the method comprising the steps of : graphically representing a query definition or an output representation operation of a database operation on the a data set, said graphic representation having a graded representation portion; receiving from the user a signal representing a user manipulation of the a grade of the graded representation portion; and translating the manipulation of the graded representation into a database query definition or output representation operation parameter for the database ; and receiving the an output database set from the database in accordance with the database query definition of output representation operation parameter , an arrangement of members of the output database set being responsive to manipulation of said graded representation portion .