A database-management system easy for system integration and flexible to
functional modifications, etc., is provided. A database stored in each
main-memory area of a plurality of computers connected via network is
managed as follows: a first computer storing original data of at least a
piece of data of the database is designated as a base host. At least one
second computer storing replica data of the original data is designated
as a replica host. A retrieving procedure is performed to receive data to
be stored in a third computer from the base host storing the original
data or the replica host storing the replica data in startup of the third
computer, and store the received data in the main-memory of the third
computer.