A method of accommodating at least one difference between a first database
schema and a second database schema is provided. The method includes
receiving a request from a first application program that is
operationally dependent upon the first database schema, the request being
received at a second application program that is operationally dependent
upon the second database schema. Thereafter, the method identifies if
there is a difference between the first database schema and the second
database schema. When there is a difference, the method identifies the
difference between the first database schema and the second database
schema to identify at least one different schema definition element and
associates the different schema definition element with a reserved
element. The reserved element may have a corresponding reserved element
provided in the first database schema. A response is then communicated to
the first application program including the reserved element.