a computer - implemented technique for managing large results sets returned from a data request for a database . the technique comprises retrieving the primary keys responsive to the data request and sub - setting of the primary keys returned into at least one subset list . the data is then retrieved on a second pass of the database retrieving data from the database using the primary keys of the at least one subset list . data retrieval is selectively repeated as required until all requested data has been retrieved . the technique is implemented within a framework . the framework comprises an interface defining a desired protocol of behaviour using common methods and an abstraction of the interface implementing the common methods as defined by the interface . call back methods provide access to the framework by the primary keys .