Method and apparatus for changing reference of database

Introduced is information that indicates a changing of "a reference that points a referenced record" to "another reference that points another record". This information is named as "changing reference information (CRI)" and is registered to a referred record. When accessing a referencing record, there is a possibility to access referenced record by necessity of a program or an operator. At this time, CRI registered to originally referenced record is accessed. And the reference is changed to new record as indicated by the CRI. Thus, status of a DB in a device is changed by the invention. When PCs have reproduced DBs that are copy of the original and edit their own reproduced DBs so as to change a reference, these editorial contents with CRI will be propagated to other PCs. Other PCs change references of their reproduced DBs according to the CRIs.