The present invention includes a database with a semantic layer for performing standard SQL and complex operations custom to one or more application. In one embodiment the present invention includes receiving a data request from an application in a database, the data request specifying standard SQL operations and custom application operations to be performed for said application. The data request is processed in a semantic layer of the database. The semantic layer processes the standard SQL operations and the custom application operations and generates a logical execution plan comprising the standard SQL operations and the custom application operations. The logical execution plan is converted into a physical execution plan, which is executed by the database to generate a data result. The data result may be sent back to the application.