A computer-implemented technique for managing large results sets returned from a data request for a database. The technique comprises retrieving the primary keys responsive to the data request and sub-setting of the primary keys returned into at least one subset list. The data is then retrieved on a second pass of the database retrieving data from the database using the primary keys of the at least one subset list. Data retrieval is selectively repeated as required until all requested data has been retrieved. The technique is implemented within a framework. The framework comprises an interface defining a desired protocol of behaviour using common methods and an abstraction of the interface implementing the common methods as defined by the interface. Call back methods provide access to the framework by the primary keys.