Querying a data source on a network

A data processing system capable of executing a computer program based on a query that is expressed in accordance with a query language applicable to a relational database, the computer program executed based at least in part on data stored in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, the data processing system configured to perform operations including:

• receiving a SQL query, where the SQL query includes an identifier associated with a resource that is external to the data processing system;
• generating a computer program based on the SQL query, including:
• identifying configuration data associated with the resource, the configuration data specifying at least one value used in communicating with the resource;
• and
• executing the computer program, based on the configuration data, the execution of the computer program causing:
• transmitting one or more instructions to the resource, the instructions defining operations other than operations of the SQL query, and
• receiving data from the resource in response to the instructions.

A non-transitory computer readable storage device storing instructions that enable a data processing system to execute a computer program based on a query that is expressed in accordance with a query language applicable to a relational database, the computer program executed based at least in part on data stored in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, the instructions causing the data processing system to perform operations including:

• receiving a SQL query, where the SQL query includes an identifier associated with a resource that is external to the data processing system;
• generating a computer program based on the SQL query, including:
• identifying configuration data associated with the resource, the configuration data specifying at least one value used in communicating with the resource;
• and
• executing the computer program, based on the configuration data, the execution of the computer program causing:
• transmitting one or more instructions to the resource, the instructions defining operations other than operations of the SQL query, and
• receiving data from the resource in response to the instructions.

A data processing system capable of executing a computer program based on a query that is expressed in accordance with a query language applicable to a relational database, the computer program executed based at least in part on data stored in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, the data processing system including:

• means for receiving a SQL query, where the SQL query includes an identifier associated with a resource that is external to the data processing system;
• means for generating a computer program based on the SQL query, including:
• identifying configuration data associated with the resource, the configuration data specifying at least one value used in communicating with the resource;
• and
• means for executing the computer program, based on the configuration data, the execution of the computer program causing:
• transmitting one or more instructions to the resource, the instructions defining operations other than operations of the SQL query, and
• receiving data from the resource in response to the instructions.