computer readable software objects , methods and apparatus are provided for using a path specification to limit requested entity data by designating a single explicit multiple step path between any two pairs of entity types . the computer readable software object comprises an ordered collection of path specification elements , a start entity , and an end entity . the method comprises determining a relationship specification from an input from a user . the method further includes determining if more than one path specification element exists that is associated with the relationship specification . when more than one path specification element exists , the user is provided with a choice of path specifications . the method then returns a list of entities from the destination entity type filtered through a restricted set of entities logically located between the source entity and the destination entity based exclusively on the path specification element chosen by the user .