The select list for the query is thus constructed such that it produces a result set having a predefined structure. Columns representing identifier properties of an entity are added to the select list. If the entity is an inheritance entity or a collection, then entities from a least derived entity to all descendants are identified and columns representing their identifiers are added to the select list and columns representing non-inherited properties for those entities are added. If the entity is not an inheritance entity or a collection, then columns representing properties of the entity are added to the select list.