A user can generate queries dynamically at runtime without having to redeploy the appropriate EJB or hard-code the query into the user application. A properties object can be generated to accept the query settings from the user. These settings can be extracted at runtime when the appropriate finder method is invoked, such that the desired query statement, such as a SQL statement, can be generated and executed against the database.This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.