A method for processing a request for data in a plurality of database formats is described. The method may include accepting a request for data. A format of the data request may be assessed. The assessed format may be a sequential access data format, a direct access data format, or a relational data format. If the assessed format of the data request is in the sequential access data format or the direct access data format, the data request may be translated into a relational data format. A relational database architecture may process the data request. A result to the data request may be returned. The result may be returned in the assessed format of the data request.