Customized retrieval and presentation of information from a database

A new method of customized retrieval and presentation of information from a relational database is disclosed. The customization is achieved by modifying a first application for retrieval and presentation of information from a database in accordance with input provided by the user, at the time when the execution of the first application is requested by the user. The user input is solicited and gathered by a second application associated with the first application. After the user input is completed, the second application generates a script which modifies the first application. The modified first application is then executed and the requested information is retrieved and presented to the user in the form customized by the user input.