Data structure construction

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the construction of complex data structures for use in efficient communications between a server (19, 20) and a requester (12, 30) in a database management system. The complex data structures may typically include fixed length static components, fixed length dynamic components and variable length dynamic components. Multiple fixed length data templates (36) are created, each of which preferably includes at least one fixed length static component mapped therein. Selected data templates may also include at least one empty field or "hole" into which a fixed length dynamic component may be mapped. Associated with each such selected data template is a replacement table (42) which contains an entry for each empty field within the data template and the characteristics of the fixed length dynamic component which is to be mapped into that empty field. A second table (48) is provided for each fixed length dynamic component which specifies the source of that dynamic component. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the source thus specified may be a direct reference to an address location or an indirect reference, such as a reference to a function which may be utilized to calculate the dynamic component. Thus, by selecting an appropiate data template which includes at least one static component mapped therein and subsequently utilizing its associated tables to determine the dynamic components which will be mapped into the template it is possible to efficiently create a complex data structure. Such complex data structures may be then be linked to individual variable length dynamic components to create a complex data structure having any desired combination of data components.